Minsk: New Members, Album and Trailer from the Chicago Sludge/Post-Metal Pioneers

It’s been a real hot minute since we heard from Chicago sludge/post-metal outfit Minsk; their last full-length, With Echoes in the Movement of Stone, came out all the way back in 2009.

Since that time 3/5ths of the band’s membership has changed, including Sanford Parker, who left the band’s official ranks in 2012 but remains creatively involved as recording engineer and mixer. But judging from this album teaser for The Crash & The Draw — which is due out on April 7 via Relapse Records (pre-order here) — the band’s music hasn’t suffered any as a result. Minsk always had a certain scary ambience that I loved — like the soundtrack to a deep, dark underworld full of miscreants that you often hear about, but rarely if ever see — and this new stuff seems like it’ll be no different. It’s equal parts full of primal rage and sonic clarity, which is no easy feat to achieve but Parker’s always been remarkably good at. Minsk were doing the whole sludgey/proggy/post-metal thing way before it was cool, and it’s good to hear them taking another step forward here.

Check out the trailer below via Lambgoat. Definitely looking forward to this record in a big way.