Atmospheric black metal project Tome of the Unreplenished have upped the ante on Earthbound (Avantgarde), the band’s forthcoming album. After laying the groundwork on a few initial releases, multi-instrumentalist Hermes brought in a full-band for 2017’s Theurgy – Act I. A departure from the more musically straightforward debut, 2015’s Innerstanding (both I, Voidhanger), the first “full-band” release, probably alienated some listeners. If you aren’t open to noise and industrial experimentation (think more Throbbing Gristle than Nine Inch Nails) you may want to leave that one alone. The latest release is far more in keeping musically with the debut record and it’s a satisfying forty-six minutes of riffing and atmospherics.
One thing that strikes very quickly on the latest record is that this is very much a musician’s band. Now featuring Alexandros (Macabre Omen, The One) on guitars/flute, Aort (CODE) on bass, and Tom Vallely (Omega Centauri, Macabre Omen) on drums and percussion, vocals never sit centre stage on this release. Bandleader Hermes lends his black metal howl, alongside a clean tone from Alexandros, at various times on the record, but this often feels almost like an instrumental project. At least, where there are vocals they’re pushed pretty far back in the mix and they’re more like a textural or atmospheric addition to the sound. And that’s absolutely fine, because the atmosphere created here is rich and enveloping.
The black metal foundations of this record are undeniable, in both the frequent tremolo riffing, powerful drumming and shrieking vocals, but at times the music has an almost soothing and reflective aspect. ‘Unbound’ is a prime example of the effective marriage of both elements, the first part being a full-on attack, with the track later weaving in effective synth atmospherics and acoustic guitar.
‘Tryst at the Gales of Cyprus’ almost has a stoner/ space rock feel to it, like some black metal Hawkwind. Final track ‘Portcullis to Dodekatheon’ meanwhile is a full nine minutes of long drone-backed atmospherics. It goes nowhere, but doesn’t need to, as it creates a hypnotic tone to drift off into a daydream with.
Earthbound is nothing revolutionary, but it is a well put-together and well-paced record that takes the listener on something of a musical voyage. An enjoyable marriage of the abrasive and the reflective.
Buy the album here: https://tomeoftheunreplenished.bandcamp.com/album/earthbound
7 / 10
TOM OSMAN