Floor – Oblation


floor-oblation

 

Around the turn of the Millennium, Floor occupied a genre of one. A dozen or so years on and the only band capable of emulating Steve Brooks’ old band is his new one, Torche. But after reuniting for a few shows, Floor decided to head back into the studio and the results are enough to make you think you’ve gone back in time a decade.

 

Consisting of Brooks (vocals/guitar), Anthony Vialon (guitar), and Henry Wilson (drums), Oblation (Season of Mist) is the band’s first proper album since 2002’s self-titled debut LP. The template of the songs is much the same as in previous years; leaden-paced doom riffs with Brooks’ grungy, melodic vocals. It’s a winning combination, but the band’s best trick is managing to create an album in line with their history but doesn’t play like a tired rehash.

 

From the lumbering opening of the title track to more upbeat ‘War Party,’ the band manage to mix the heavy with the accessible seamlessly. Huge, droning riffs mix with vocal hooks that wouldn’t be out of place on mainstream chart albums. The fuzz-laden weight of ‘Trick Scene’ could rattle your teeth out, while Brook’s haunting vocals ensure there’s energy hidden within the thick fog of reverb. It’s not as polished or sickly sweet as some of Torche’s recordings – and to many will sound like a more primitive version of that band – but Oblation is all the better for it.

 

Whether it’s the hypnotising ‘New Man,’ the eeriness of ‘Homegoings and Transitions’ or the pure catchiness of ‘Sister Sophia,’ Floor fans will find plenty like about the band in 2014. The songs are tighter, generally more cohesive and the overall impact of the record is genuinely satisfying. It’s bursting with massive, crushing riffs, yet feels remarkably upbeat. The seven-minute ‘Sign Of Aeth’ is probably the album reaching its zenith; epic, snail paced guitars compliment the melancholic vocals before ending on a euphoric high.

 

The only real criticism you can throw at Floor is the lack of variety of songs means the 45 minute run time can seem excessive, especially when previous releases have barely scraped the half hour mark. But it’s a small niggle. Oblation (Season of Mist) is a remarkable album; it will shake you to your bones but leave with a smile on your face. Fans of Torche should get it, fans of anyone who likes their metal heavy should get it.

9/10

Floor on Facebook

 

DAN SWINHOE