Collaborative albums are a tricky undertaking that can often result in clunky material that tries too hard to appeal to two separate audiences. In the case of Chat Pile and Hayden Pedigo, however, In the Earth Again showcases a seamless connection of artists that appear to be on polar-opposite ends of the sonic spectrum, while simultaneously showcasing a logical next step in the band's trajectory.From the very start, Pedigo's guitar playing fits right into the Chat Pile universe. Dreamy instrumental opener of "Outside" and onward, his finger-picking style conjures imagery of a dusty, desolate rural American landscape — a familiar concept, both lyrically and sonically, for the band. (Pedigo grew up in the Texas Panhandle, while Chat Pile formed in Oklahoma City, OK.) Often a band that relies on blunt force musical expression, the nuance in Pedigo's playing helps elevate the emotional complexities of Chat Pile's material. Whether it's the eerie dissonance of "Never Say Die!" or the Cynic-esque "Behold a Pale Horse," the multi-instrumentalist has all sorts of surprises up his sleeve.Perhaps Pedigo's best work on the album, "The Magic of the World" sees his playing bring out both a joyous and haunting side of the band's sound. For fans that want heaviness in Chat Pile's music, however, there's still plenty of that to go around: from the Godflesh Streetcleaner-inspired interlude "Fission/Fusion" to the classic Chat Pile sounds of "The Matador," sludge metal down-tuned madness continues to abound.Vocalist Raygun Busch has some of his best vocal performances to date on this record, with the largely quieter arrangements of In the Earth Again leaving a lot more bandwidth for his experimentation. The vocalist has come along way from the purposely unmelodious styling of the band's early work: whether it's embracing a traditional, harsh metal delivery on "Never Say Die!" or the melodic performance of "Radioactive Dreams," Busch demonstrates more refinement in his creative palate than ever before. Busch's best performance, however, is on the album closer "A Tear for Lucas," where he thoughtfully offers a Leonard Cohen-esque take on crooning. It's a form of singing resolutely atypical to heavy music, but it somehow works seamlessly to close out this collaborative affair atop Pedigo's virtuosic acoustic (heart)string maneuvers.Showcasing a much more subtle side to the band, In the Earth Again is an excellent chapter in the story of Chat Pile's catalogue, bringing them into new musical territories while touching on all that they've traversed before. Reflecting on their shared experiences in the rural landscaping of the South Central states, Pedigo helps the band break out beyond the confines of their genre, sawing through the crust to bask in the heat of a molten core.
Wavelength
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