Column of Heaven are one of the several projects that rose out of the ashes of The Endless Blockade (along with Farang and the now-defunct Slaughter Strike)– and holds the distinction of being the most distressing, in the best possible way. The Endless Blockade created truly deranged powerviolence; Column of Heaven builds upon a similarly noisy, chaotic foundation, incorporating elements of grindcore and electronic filth. What sets Column of Heaven, and Mission From God, apart is the sheer filthiness and unmitigated anger that seethes and bubbles up through this recording. Smothered in dirt and grit, slavering venom and magma, there’s not a minute on this record that is not steeped in viciousness, not a single sound that isn’t lashing out to hurt.

“Hic Svnt Dracones” caught my attention in particular because of the various techniques in employs to attack and unsettle the listener. There is complex, discordant guitar work, buffeting the listener with sludge and crust. There are rancid grindcore vocals that ache and creak with suppurated foulness. There are alienating electronic effects that hiss and grown in warning. And, in the background, an eerie tin whistle makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

If you’re in the mood to be deeply unsettled, give this track a listen on Column of Heaven‘s bandcamp page. And if you’re hungry for even more disturbing noise, the band will be celebrating the physical release of Mission From God on Friday, September 7th 2012 at the 460 (460 Spadina Ave.). Column of Heaven will be playing with fellow Toronto locals Purity Control, Farang and Spearhead. Doors open at 9pm, and cover is only $5.

Also worth your time: vocalist and bassist Andrew Nolan’s blog.