Instrumental metal quite often gets the wrong rap for being a bit tedious and pretentious, seemingly a genre that is more about a band trying to show off how well they can play their instruments rather than create an atmosphere and a unique sound and hook. Brand new four-piece outfit, Crevassian set out to create a cathartic blend of atmosphere and groove with their debut, self-released, self-titled EP.Continue reading
Tag Archives: atmospheric music
Future Usses – The Existential Haunting
Future Usses is a project featuring members of Intronaut and Bereft and they’ve clearly been putting a lot of thought into their debut, The Existential Haunting (Pelagic). Five years in the making, this is an album which is crafted and defined, but it’s not an album that the casual listener will find rewarding.Continue reading
In Hearts Wake – Ark
Recent times have seen a resurgence for Metalcore that puts it on its strongest footing since its exciting early days, even perhaps exceeding them. Not only have stalwarts such as Killswitch Engage remained beloved and reliably great as ever, Parkway Drive have grown into absolute powerhouses, and the likes of Architects and While She Sleeps have put a British scene on the map with differing but equally excellent takes. Continue reading
The Moth Gatherer – The Earth Is the Sky
Swedish post metal outfit The Moth Gatherer have just released their second album, The Earth is the Sky (Agonia) Apparently the band was started to help deal with the loss of loved ones, which is believable given the dark, melancholic nature of the music on offer.
From the opening notes of the excellent ‘Pale Explosions’, here is six tracks of dark, slowly unfolding depression via the medium of crushing riffs. As with any good post-metal record, there’s plenty of light and shade; the vocals swing between sombre melodies and almost Jamey Jasta-like screams, while the riffs juxtapose between clean quiet moments and wall of sound heaviness. It’s long, winding and largely instrumental, with the focus being on the unnerving nature of the music rather than a verse-chorus-verse-solo song structure.
‘Attacus Atlas’ is nine minutes of atmospheric and claustrophobic guitar work. ‘Dylatlov’s Pass’ is a largely ambient interlude that acts as a long respite before the droning noise of ‘The Black Antlers’, while album closer ‘In Awe Before the Rapture’ slowly builds via clean riffs and spoken word passages towards a slow but hypnotic finally.
Post metal is a hard style of music to get right, and despite having some really good moments and starting strong, The Earth is the Sky starts to fade away by the end of the record. It lacks the variety and quality song writing to keep you entertained right to the very end. However, when they’re good, The Moth Gatherer are very good and well worth your time if you’re into this kind of music.
6.0/10
DAN SWINHOE
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