Album Type : EP
Date Released : 20/9/2013
Label : Indie Recording
VERTIKAL II,
track listing :
1. Oro
2. Light Chaser
3. Shun The Mask
4. Vicarious Redemption (Remix by Justin K.
Broadrick)
The Band
Johannes Persson | Guitars and Vocals
Magnus Lindberg | Drums and Studio-Engineering
Erik Olofsson | Guitars
Andreas Johansson | Bass
Andreas Johansson | Bass
Anders Teglund | Keyboards and Electronics
Fredrik Kihlberg | Guitars and Vocals
Thomas Hedlund | Drums and Percussion
Thomas Hedlund | Drums and Percussion
Review :
So here we
are people, what you've all been waiting for. That's right - the long awaited
sequel to my Cult Of Luna review from earlier this year! You lucky, lucky
bastards. Also, there is a sequel out to the last Cult Of Luna record, called
'Vertikal II' (son of Vertikal? I kid). A companion piece EP that sounds just
wonderful.
'Oro' is of a somewhat similar vein to 'The One' from the previous outing,
electronically tinged beats echo in and out of existence and conjure up the feeling
of future, or space. This new track is guitar driven though, beautiful and
elegant, laced with some lighter than air vox. It's heart warming stuff, and
it'll melt your worries. Classic COL, the power to move you.
'Light Chaser' is also quite elegant in
structure, and will easily capture your imagination. It's a very spirited
track, the serenity of the guitar is balanced by the mid-range beat, and the
other side of the dark / light equation is countered by the growled vocals.
Post-whatever you want, truth is it works, and that's why people love the
genre. More importantly, that's why they love the soaring compositions of Cult
Of Luna.
Merit badge
goes to one of my heroes (new Jesu rules!), Mr. Justin K. Broadrick for his
blissful remix of the original Vertikal's 'Vicarious
Redemption', featured here in a closing position at the very end of the EP.
Not to take anything away from Luna, because they obviously created the
originally stunning source material. But Justin weaves his magic touch to the
fullest of it's extent here, with gorgeous keys and lo-fi soul searching. And
when it does get heavy, it still remains an other-worldly experience. Truly
exceptional.
All in all,
'Vertikal II' is by no means some unsavoury cash-in. Fully capable of standing
not only proudly on it's own as an independent release, it also fits perfectly
with the themes and the soundscapes constructed within it's predecessor cousin.
If you're a fan of the original, don't hesitate to snap this up straight away.
Words by : Matt Fitton
You can buy
it here
