Avant-garde metal is a term which is something of an oxymoron. If something is new and experimental, how can it be applied to a group of bands? It's a tag that has been given to the likes of Celtic Frost, Helmet, and Boris over the years and more recently, Laster, a masked unit from Utrecht, in the Netherlands. Laster, (Dutch for slander) has been quite prolific since forming in 2012, releasing their first album "De verste verte is hier" two years later, and most recently, "Het wassen oog" in 2019. After a four-year wait, the trio returns with "Andermans Mijne," which will surely delight those who have been following them.

Immediately, one can hear the influence of Canadian legends Voivod on the title track, with its off-centre riff which sets the tone of the album straight away. It also begins the pattern of blast beats creeping into the songs, as many times on the record, they'll gradually appear, rather than kick off every song with ferocity. It's a good song though and leads nicely into the second track, "Kunstlicht," where at times the bass is leading the charge, with the guitar butting in.

Jazz plays quite a big role on "Andermans Mijne," particularly jazz guitar, which is very prominent on "Poëtische waarheid" and "Afgelopen tijd." The latter displays a wonderful variety of Scott Walker-esque vocals and a surprising blend of black metal and bossa nova, mixing frenetic drumming with a more laid-back rock, making for a really fascinating song. This blend continues to the final track, "Doodgeboren," although that one isn't as memorable. Elsewhere, the short instrumental "Wachtmuziek" contains a more mellow vibe, yet simultaneously has a doom metal sound about it.

For those who aren't so into the more esoteric side of metal trying this one out, it can become something of a sensory assault after a while, with the brain-rattling music becoming quite hard to handle. There's a solid amount of variation to be found and it offers a lot to be interested in, but around the 70% mark of the album, it can start to wear the listener out for sure. There were a few moments when a song could have ended rather than continuing, or a track didn't feel like as much of a departure from the previous one.

Overall, it's an interesting album from an equally intriguing band. Those who like plenty of art in their metal should definitely give it a go. It's got some good enough parts to win over a few doubters, though don't expect it to become a mainstream crossover hit. It's like a Picasso painting or a Lars von Trier film, in that it might not be the most entertaining piece of media at the time, but it forces you to think about it and want to pay another visit to get a greater understanding. Thoroughly recommended to all of you who like something different.