Norwegian noise-rock duo Barren Womb and Tokyo stoner-psych trio HYLKO have teamed up for a new split single released March 20 through Fucking North Pole Records and Captured Records. The two-track release pairs Barren Womb’s abrasive new song “The Perils of Self-Improvement” with HYLKO’s hypnotic “Green Spa (Cold Region Version),” bringing together two bands that thrive on heavy sound and unconventional approach.

Barren Womb’s contribution arrives as a mid-tempo noise-rock bruiser built around a jangling guitar loop that slowly builds tension before erupting into a massive chorus. The track layers pounding drums and shouted vocals into the duo’s signature chaotic push and pull between aggression and melody. The song also takes aim at modern self-help culture, framing its message through the band’s sharp, confrontational style.

“The Perils of Self-Improvement” was originally recorded during the sessions for Barren Womb’s 2024 album Chemical Tardigrade, but the band chose to hold the track back until now. The split release offers a fresh entry point for listeners while expanding the sonic orbit of the previous record.

For more than fifteen years, Barren Womb — guitarist and vocalist Tony Gonzalez alongside drummer and vocalist Timo Silvola — have carved out a reputation as one of Norway’s most ferocious underground acts. Across five albums and extensive touring throughout Europe and North America, the duo has built a following through relentless live performances and a distinctive blend of punk rawness, grinding repetition, and explosive dynamics.

On the flip side, Tokyo’s HYLKO bring a completely different but equally intense energy with “Green Spa (Cold Region Version).” The trio — Nori Shio on bass, TofuckG on drums, and Moock on vocals and djembe — construct a surprisingly massive sound using only bass, drums, and tribal percussion. The track centers around a deep five-string bass groove, gradually expanding into a haze of fuzz, psychedelic atmosphere, and jazz-leaning rhythm.

Recorded and produced by Yukito Okazaki of Eternal Elysium at Studio Zen, HYLKO’s contribution channels hypnotic stoner rock energy while maintaining a stripped-down, rhythm-forward structure.

Together, the split captures two distinct underground scenes meeting at full volume: Norwegian noise-rock abrasion and Japanese stoner-psych ritual, united through sheer heaviness and experimental spirit.