Non-Bio – Every Chalice Poisoned (Digital/CD Album – Non-Bio)
The artist Howard Gardner, based in London (UK), has been releasing music under the Non-Bio pseudonym for several years. Last year, he unveiled his latest work, reintroducing listeners to his distinct take on Industrial music. The album’s debut is particularly striking, combining relentless, hard-hitting rhythms with scorching sequences. Interspersed throughout are eerie vocal elements and spoken-word samples that add to the album’s haunting atmosphere. Fans of Dive may find similarities here, but be warned, Non-Bio takes a harder and more intricate approach. This complexity becomes especially apparent in the album’s second half, where layers of sound merge into a chaotic, Noise-driven frenzy.
Despite the mayhem, there are moments where the chaos transforms into an almost Trance-like state, showcasing Gardner’s skill in crafting immersive sonic landscapes. The final five tracks of the album are remixes by various artists, with Bein-E’s intelligent and highly efficient contribution standing out as a highlight. This album reinforces the impression that Non-Bio’s raw, uncompromising sound would fit perfectly on a renowned Industrial label. (Rating:8).
Listen to “God’s Gift”:
About Non-Bio
Non-Bio is the south London-based industrial and powernoise project of Howard Gardner, described on Bandcamp as exploring “industrial, powernoise and rhythmic noise sounds” through brutal rhythms played on hacked instruments. The project’s discography dates back to the “Pillar Of Salt” album in 2010, followed by “Blue Horned Humanoids” in 2011 and “Machine Cold Wash” and “Null Object” in 2014, among further self-released full-lengths and EPs through the 2010s.
Side-Line covered Non-Bio’s “Degraded – Remixes 2014-2019” collection in 2019, a download-only set gathering remixes and alternate versions by contributors including X-KiN, MOX Salnikov, Ernesto Bohorquez, Project Shadowkind, and Pillars of Golden Misery. Gardner returned with the album “Every Chalice Poisoned”, released on Bandcamp on October 31, 2024, the release reviewed here.
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