Henry Kane - Circle of Pain

Henry Kane is a one-man band formed by Wombbath’s (among others) Jonny Pettersson in 2016.  “Circle of Pain” is the project's third full-length album, in addition to a split album release in 2017.

Henry Kane’s music is extreme as hell, amplified by its amalgamation of various styles including crust, death metal, and grindcore.  I’m familiar with many of his projects but, for whatever reason, I haven’t had a chance to check out Henry Kane’s music before.  With that being said, I like what I’m hearing and I’m pleasantly surprised by the dynamics and variety that he injects into an extreme tapestry while still making it all coherent.  

Little twists here and there, such as keys, subtle hints of melody, adventurous  bass or symphonic elements fill up the cracks in the band’s open sound.  The result is an extreme metal album that isn’t afraid to be more than what it is while still being exactly what it should be.  It’s a rare combination of stepping outside the box yet staying grounded enough to where it is still presented as a serious work of art.  

The album opens with “A Swarm of Idiots,” and it immediately showcases the Jonny’s interesting vision of incorporating melody and keys.  These elements are blended seamlessly, no doubt battered into the mix with the drums.  At its fastest, the song is surprisingly catchy and almost anthemic.  I love how the bass can be both melodic yet rhythmic enough to help the drums hold down the foundation.  

“Numb” offers another surprise by throwing out some symphonic elements.  They work well with the wild screams and tight, crisp drumming.  This song is a straight up banger even as it’s sweeping and catchy.  The infectious, pulverizing groove around the 2 minute mark is the highlight of the song but just as impressive is how well it transitions to the blitzkrieg that comes afterwards. 

“Wealth Of Obscenity” is an insane album with a crust/punk energy and swagger that cannot be denied.  The vocals are amazing and kept me on my toes.  The solos after the hallmark are different and unexpected but very much welcomed.  That statement could be applied to the album as a whole too.

The final song, “En önskan i mörkret,” features more of the crust energy and rhythm but the symphonics also return…such an odd combination but Jonny is too good of a songwriter to make it be anything other than badass.  The atmosphere across the song is urgent yet it’s a little somber as well. 

All in all, Henry Kane’s “Circle Of Pain,” is a breath of fresh air and I haven’t heard an extreme metal album quite like this all year. It feels personal and genuine yet brutal and abrasive.  This is an album that cannot be missed.