Atmospheric as hell yet grungy, punkish, and unfraid of a whiny screaming guitar solo (see “O1”), Labyrinth by JOCK is another worthy entrant in the Cherub Dream Records catalog. The band call themselves “noise goth,” and the 24-min EP delivers with hypnotic basslines, massive washes of strummed white static, and devilish themes. It all feels largely instrumental, even when it isn’t, like when angelic vocals stream ethereal upon the punchy bass and rumbling drum rhythms on “Down in Hell.” Or on the almost-too-real track “Desperate,” when the extremely agitated protagonist shrieks for help.
