In which Belfast meets Bradford for some far-out pagan runnings. Miles J Paralysis has rapidly emerged as a prominent practitioner of spooked-out musical hauntology. Black Bones have been exploring similar liminal zones, initially through their edits and latterly with full productions, touching on new wave, dub, heavy heavy Balearics and industrial flavours. It was only a matter of time before they met and pushed each other further into the outer reaches.

‘Black Cross’ comprises two tracks from each, and it’s one very wild ride. Make no mistake: this is some powerful voodoo, not to be used lightly. Black Bones open with ‘Psychic Rain Dance’: relentless tribal drums, distorted blasts of static, disembodied voices and troubling sub-bass all add up to an unhinged wig-out, sure to induce equal measures of joy and fear on left-leaning dance floors. Battle is commenced.

Miles J Paralysis ripostes with ‘Twilight’. Not to be outdone, this is a similarly punishing full-body and psyche workout. Rolling drums, a vaguely demonic voice and motorik bass provide the forward motion, while all manner of disorientating sounds burst across the stereo field. There’s something ritualistic about it, but also deeply mechanical, as if the whole thing is being driven by some malfunctioning piece of industrial machinery. Hypnotic, oppressive and exhilarating.

On the flip side, Black Bones tone things down but maintain the dread with ‘Low Voltage Dream’. Riding a low-slung electro beat, a gnarly bass line plays host to an ever-increasing barrage of electrical interference, static and shorting circuitry. The tension builds without ever really breaking; everything is hemmed in and airless. Claustrophobia has rarely felt so good.

Miles parries with ‘Two Up’, another more spacious but no less creeped-out excursion. Less visceral than the A-side, it works by stealth instead, gradually getting under the listener’s skin and refusing to leave.

Across all four tracks there’s a shared sense of unease, this is dark, strange and deeply physical music. Let’s call this one an honourable draw with heavy casualties. Essential.

'Black Cross' is available now on Crying Outcast