New York-based noise-rock group Uniform delivers their most crushing work yet on American Standard. Tackling themes of agonizing self-destruction, sickness, rebirth and discovery, Uniform doesn’t fear introspection on American Standard. In fact, the whole album is seeping with self-reflection. Using the dual-drumming assault via Michael Sharp and Michael Blume, and Brad Truax’s pummeling basslines, Ben Greenberg’s guitar playing and arrangements allow for Michael Berdan’s bludgeoning and emotive vocal-delivery to take shape, shine, and ultimately grind you down into a million pieces.

On opening 21-minute long track “American Standard,” we can hear Berdan rallying to himself, each line buoyantly repeating. “A part of me, but it can’t be me / there’s meat on my waist, it hangs on my waist.” Thematically on American Standard, there is a particular focus on Berdan’s bulimia nervosa. Yet, without knowing this, I think a listener would be able to quickly gather how
deeply personal the subject matter of the music is. Right from the get go, you can feel the raw emotion emanating from Berdan’s guttural drawal. Similarly, the music paints itself a fittingly chaotic space that permeates with urgency. The rhythm sections fill a lot of the musical landscape, providing often meditatively-droning patterns. Greenberg’s guitar follows suit, bringing repetitive, effective parts that serve the song perfectly. After a disorienting 16 minutes, Uniform shows mercy for a moment, cascading to the strum of a single guitar before the song expands itself into another stratosphere. Unrelenting guitar and pummeling blast-beats sit under Berdan’s heart-wrenching vocal performance. “I don’t remember you,” Berdan howls, ending the
cinematic title track.

“This Is Not A Prayer” wastes no time in continuing Uniform’s audial assault. Ferocious drums lay the foreground of the track. Guitar and bass are more sparse, leaving plenty of space for Berdan to affirm himself. When guitar and bass do present themselves, it’s intentional, often dissonant, and works well to propel the track further. “I’ve got a wish / this is not a prayer,”

Berdan forcefully echoes over. His unsatisfied-desperation is palpable. Ambient, somewhat unsettling synths ease you in on “Clemency.” “Clemency” sees the album’s first proper riff. It’s doomy but in a way that still sounds incredibly fresh and not at all predictable as a lot of doom/stoner-rock riffs tend to be. Half-way through the song you’re met with a total feel change. The guitar tones are heavy and abrasive, reminiscent of Nails, or Sumac. I love how determined the drums are as they sit under the song’s latter-half riff; refusing to relent or humble themselves. Entirely overwhelming.

American Standard ends with the album single “Permanent Embrace.” Featuring a coinciding music-video directed by Sean Stout, “Permanent Embrace” is the perfect last hurrah to end American Standard on. It’s exuberant, cleansing, and punitive. Scorching and grinding guitars sit on top of a barrage of resilient drums and obnoxious bass. The song is dynamic, seeing tones, exclamations and emphasis modulating and shifting throughout the track at a vicious pace. American Standard is a fearless musical endeavor. One that is deeply cathartic, endlessly artistic, and truly inspiring.

Pre-order American Standard by Uniform HERE