Depth Charms is the psych-rock, drone, and noise-rock project of maximalist guitarist Mike Vest and drummer and illustrator Nick Raybould. Their latest creation, Ver Sessions, is a trilogy of improvised albums recorded live in a single take over three consecutive months—March, April, and May of 2024.
Each session is a raw, unfiltered exploration of sound, where Vest’s intricate guitar and bass lines weave together with Raybould’s dynamic, ever-shifting drumming. The result is a hypnotic and atmospheric collection of experimental rock, allowing listeners to experience the magic of spontaneous composition.
With Ver Sessions, Depth Charms balances intensity and subtlety. The albums capture the duo’s synergy as they venture beyond traditional structures, embracing the unexpected and the unknown.
Released on September 27th via Cruel Nature Records, Ver Sessions includes highlights such as “Deep Dive,” “Highest,” and “Jump Jet.”
“Deep Dive” opens with a spacey, delay-drenched guitar spiraling outward, creating a soundscape that feels like it’s expanding infinitely. Beware, though, because the sonic expanse is like a black hole ready to swallow you up. A steady, hypnotic bass line anchors the song while the drumming builds into an explosive crescendo.
As the instrumental layers intensify on “Deep Dive,” you can feel the noise rock elements creeping in—dissonant, distorted riffs break through the haze like solar flares, adding a gritty edge to the scuzzy psychedelia.
While “Deep Dive” ends rather quickly, “Highest” grinds on for nearly five minutes. It’s abrasive and a bit chaotic, a barrage of distorted riffs and screeching feedback melting your face. Raybould’s drums hammer through the noise, as they do throughout the record, leaving only traces of cosmic dust in the air.
“Jump Jet” is a fuzz-soaked jam, where Depth Charm’s scuzz and grimy textures meet the vast expanse of psychedelic rock. It perfectly encapsulates the record’s raw dog, unpolished energy, mixed with its transcendent qualities.
About Cruel Nature Records … Based in Morpeth, Northumberland (U.K.), Cruel Nature has been a bastion for underground music since its inception in 2013.
This DIY label specializes in limited-edition cassette releases and digital downloads, bringing a wide array of experimental sounds to a global audience. With over 320 releases and up to six new albums dropping each month, Cruel Nature remains a vital force in the underground music scene.
In Ver Sessions, Depth Charms creates a compelling collection of instrumental tracks where grimy textures and hypnotic rhythms collide with ethereal atmospheres. Released through Cruel Nature Records, the trilogy highlights the duo’s ability to blend spontaneity with precision, crafting an album that captures the essence of experimental rock at its most visceral and transcendent. Enjoy!
Check out Ver Sessions by Depth Charms on Bandcamp here.
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