In my review of Falls of Rauros‘ last record, Vigilance Perennial, I stated: 1) I was listening to something special, and 2) how can that top that album (which was my number 3 album of 2017)?. Well, despite switching from perfectly suited label in Bindrune to lesser known but also solid Gilead Media, they have been able to: 1) again deliver something special, and 2 ) top the last album, though just barely.
As with the opener from Vigilance Perennial , “White Granite”, on opener (after 2 minute intro “Détournement”) “Weapons of Refusal”, there is that truly special moment where you realize how perfectly aligned every element of the band’s , Agalloch inspired, forest-y, misty, atmospheric post/cascadian black metal is. About 3 :33 in, there is this shrill, majestic stomp that will set your hairs on end, and the acoustic refrain that follows and songs emotional climax is just as gorgeous, resulting in one of the year’s most complete and enthralling 11 minutes of music.
And from there it just somehow keeps delivering the shimmery, atmospheric, hair raising goods. 8+ minute New Inertia” builds patiently for about 3 and a half minutes before exploding into a black metal vortex of layered melodic bliss. “Renouvellement” breaks things up with an acoustic clean sung interlude of sorts before “Last Empty Tradition” brings in moodier saunter and sway for about 6 minutes before one of the bands signature galloping, melodic, shimmery expulsions unfurls from the speakers in glorious, soaring fashion. I’d put these guys over peers Deafheaven and Ghost Bath, and right behind Vallendusk when it comes to these kinds of uplifting, radiant melodies.
9 minute closer “Memory of Night” opens with a patient, rending plod that would make Finnish death/doom bands weep into their puffy shirt sleeves. But about 3:10 in, it takes a turn into a tumbling, tidal, gorgeously layered blast beat that takes my breath away. The song settles into a warm, alluring closing aura and ends the album on a perfect note, where you can finally exhale and appreciate that you just were completely absorbed over the last 45 minutes by one of the years best albums.
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What radiant melodies are you hearing!? This isn’t Astronoid. There are chord changes but the singing is all Black Raraarrrr, no melody. I’m curious when i see this about Black Metal and Melody. They are anathema.I’m suspicious, as if some basic tremelo picked notes equal RADIANT MELODY, like Bach of something. This isn’t bad but sounds like a million ‘Agalloch” (God Forbid, the most over-rated band ever!) clones.
on Aug 15th, 2019 at 23:12