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Heavensore, "Asmodai"
It’s good to hear that some folks who are doing the whole "drone metal" thing are remembering where the roots of the sound are, as opposed to simply trying to ape the "big names" of the scene. This relatively new Greek band definitely wears their influence on their sleeves, creating this homage to the Church of Black Sabbath and the holy scripture of Earth’s 2.
The short (by comparison) opening track "Aurora" is the most uncharacteristic of the three included here. What sounds like violin or viola scrapes are met with odd vocal sounds and backward guitar elements.As a whole it has a very disorienting feeling to it, like the sounds of being lost in a deep dark jungle somewhere with no sign of civilization in sight.
This brief prelude is much different than "Tabula Smaragdina", which opens with the remaining duration of the disc’s raison d’etre:slow, distorted guitar riffs that are allowed to sustain for a reasonable amount of time, creeping, pounding drums and growled metal vocals.It does have a similar vibe to the big boys like Sunn O))), but there is a greater sense of propulsion here:rather than drifting like an iceberg, it instead creeps along somewhat faster like a steamroller with a bad attitude.Throughout the first half, the guitars get louder and more "metal" but never really quickens the pace, nor should it.The second half opts for a more experimental approach with less conventional, treated sounds and chanted, rather than snarled vocals.It is a nice break, but when the slow motion Earth chug returns at the end, it just feels right.
This general vibe continues into "Asmodeus," which opens with heavy pounding drums and distant, whispered vocals that are somewhat of a contrast from the previous track.The vocals become more and more prominent, but for the first half stay rather restrained.Later on there is a greater emphasis on dissonant processed sounds, and the vocals become more screamed rather than sung which, unfortunately, somewhat cross into metal cliché realms.The drums at this point alternate between rapid fire blasts and pure sparse space, but the overall track stays slow.The ending of the track calls to mind "Aurora" in that it is focused more on reversed melodies as opposed to monolith riffs, but is even more subtle and quiet than anything that preceded it.
As a debut that was mostly recorded live, Heavensore manages to borrow elements of drone, black metal, and good old sludge/stoner rock in a way that enthralls, rather than bores.Another thumbs up for Utech’s URSK series, which may actually eclipse last year’s awesome ARC series.
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