Continued Uncategorization: Controlled Bleeding’s history goes back to the early 80’s, and if you’re brave enough to attempt headway through their confusing discography, both as Controlled Bleeding and various offshoots, then you’re much more patient than we are and you probably like mapping things out in flowcharts. Though, if you don’t and you want to get to know this band better, you’d better start liking them, and fast. As exhibited over the course of four decades, a Controlled Bleeding full-length consists of various distinct styles, and within those styles are further explorations on a variety of musical themes. Larva Lumps and Baby Bumps is a two dic package with disc one being driving, industrialized soundscapes mixed with rhythmically martial progressive rock. Bands often featured on Tzadik and Subharmonic labels like Praxis and John Zorn himself make up the meat of this disc with the 22 minute, four part closer “The Perks of Being a Perv” acting as a crowning achievement of factory floor inspired calamity and metallic guitars. The second disc takes its gestation from a vivisection and combination of free jazz, dub, and noise rock with a leaning towards instrumental pieces and “Trawler’s Song” summoning the ghost of Nine Inch Nails’ past.

Review by; Kevin Stewart-Panko
Review originally published in Outburn #86