GOD'S BASTARD is an American Black Metal band coming from New York. The band fuses elements of Black Metal with Crust Punk and Death Metal, everything wrapped in an Experimental Metal package. "Last Standing Village" is their 3-track debut EP, with two tracks over eight minutes, it lasts a little over 20 minutes, being quite accessible by genre's standards.

Opener "Chaos Apologist" features a powerful, almost folky main riff. Lev Weinstein's drumming is manic and fits perfectly with the chaotic nature of the band's sound. Song structures are skewed in favour of Experimental songwriting. At times, it sounds as if Krautrock band CAN decided to do Black Metal at some point of their career. The comparison feels more appropriate considering the conversational approach to high-pitched harsh vocals. Drew Hays truly channels Damo Suzuki at times.

"God Raise The Sea" takes a melodic approach, taking a couple of cues from both early era Black Metal and melodic Blackgaze. There is a slight Classical influence on riff building, with melodies echoing classical pieces. Three minutes in, the track goes completely insane, with a strong Hardcore influence. Jazzy undertones punctuate both Weinstein's drumming and Hays' dissonant guitar jamming.

Closer "To The Last Standing Village" opens with an almost uplifting, Post-Metal fest. Darkness bleeds in fast, amidst Hardcore-tingled bedlam. When the song slows down, it sets into a nice groove and a Space Rock atmosphere. Some exquisite guitar tapping and a proggy song structure make for a grand finale with this track.

Both the songwriting and the musicianship on the recording are the strong elements here, and GOD'S BASTARD should be commended for writing intricate and intelligent songs and having the technical chops to deliver. Although an experimental release, it never feels too abstruse or unnecessarily difficult. If anything, a couple of hooks here and there could have made the experience more memorable, and a clearer production never truly hurts.

"Last Standing Village" is a solid EP with dark imagery both in lyrics and sound, noisy and dissonant but never too out-there to be impenetrable. Recommended if you are looking for some Black Metal with strong personality and a unique flair.