OGRE has officially dropped their new album title ‘Bryan’. The band has always operated on its own wavelength, and ‘Bryan’ stands as one of the clearest examples of the band’s singular vision. The Portland trio takes familiar noise rock ingredients and reshapes them into something that feels completely distinct. Across seven tightly constructed tracks, the album delivers relentless energy while maintaining a surprising sense of focus and purpose. Every moment feels intentional, creating an experience that is as engaging as it is unpredictable.
One of the album’s greatest strengths is its unique instrumental approach. The absence of guitar allows the dual bass attack to occupy a fascinating sonic space, generating layers of texture that are both abrasive and hypnotic. Grace Crane and Ace Jennings complement each other brilliantly, with one providing a powerful rhythmic foundation while the other pushes the music into strange and exhilarating territory. The result is a sound that feels massive without ever becoming cluttered.
‘Bryan’ also benefits from exceptional pacing. Its compact runtime works to its advantage, ensuring that every track leaves an impression. The band never overstays its welcome or repeats itself unnecessarily. Instead, each song introduces new ideas, sharp turns, and memorable hooks that keep the momentum moving forward. Even at its most chaotic, the album remains remarkably accessible.
The rhythm section deserves special recognition. Nils Niswonger’s drumming is dynamic, precise, and endlessly entertaining. His ability to navigate sudden shifts in intensity gives the music a sense of constant motion. Whether driving the band through explosive climaxes or locking into a punishing groove, his performance provides the perfect counterpart to the album’s adventurous bass work.
What makes ‘Bryan’ particularly impressive is how it balances experimentation with genuine replay value. Many records in the noise rock world prioritize confrontation over enjoyment, but OGRE manages to deliver both. The songs hit hard while remaining memorable, allowing listeners to discover new details with every return visit. The band’s willingness to embrace humor, personality, and unpredictability only adds to the album’s charm.
‘Bryan’ feels like the work of a group that fully understands its identity and executes its vision with complete confidence. OGRE has crafted an album that is inventive, energetic, and unmistakably its own. It captures the excitement of a band pushing creative boundaries while still delivering songs that demand repeated listens. For anyone interested in adventurous heavy music, ‘Bryan’ is an exhilarating and highly rewarding experience.
About OGRE
The parameters around being in a noise rock band somehow don’t apply to Portland, Oregon-based noise-rock trio OGRE. “We’re not breaking the rules. We made the rules—we’re Jackson Pollock-ing this,” laughs rhythm bassist/vocalist Grace Crane.
The three-headed monster adheres to a strict no guitar policy. Its visuals are clean, minimalistic with the occasional pop of red. Verbiage is always in the Arial font. And instead of a menacing onstage demeanor, the group favors absurdist theatrics. Imagine the antics of Andy Kaufman melded with the post-hardcore abrasiveness of A Place To Bury Strangers.
“Shows are not a place to just deliver songs. The entertainment value is the most important,” explains lead bassist/vocalist Ace Jennings. Ogre takes its comedic capers seriously, but it also takes its music just as seriously, as evident by its fourth album, Bryan, its CorpoRAT Records debut.
The seven-song collection is its most compact, chaotic, and, dare we say, catchy without sacrificing any of its sonic assault ethos. An ogre is the perfect name for the band’s wild and wooly sonics. The band once had a hilarious t-shirt with a paragraph long description of its sound. That said, clamorous experimental post-hardcore in the vein of Osees, Hella, Melt Banana, and Lightning Bolt are apt comparisons.
Key components to the Ogre onslaught are its twin bass lineup with rhythm bassist Grace holding down the fort like a post-hardcore James Jamerson while lead bassist Ace summons harsh and grimy ethereal soundscapes from his spaceship-vibing pedalboard. Drummer/vocalist Nils Niswonger negotiates the jarring dynamics, adeptly alternating between dexterous drum climaxes and pile-driving.
Bio written by Lorne Behrman.
Featured image by Ian Enger.
LINKS:
https://www.ogrebyogre.org
https://www.instagram.com/ogrebyogre
https://ogrebyogre.bandcamp.com
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ogre/1652616623
https://tidal.com/artist/35344910/u
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2VVgdgcVCQxg1QKLpX9GrH