Simón is a Doom/Sludge/Post-Metal Collective from Rotterdam, Netherlands
The members are:
Ilja Traas - Guitar/Vocals
Bart Heuts - Guitar/Vocals
Tijs Hop - Bass
Sjoerd van der Knoop - Drums
Theun Sponselee - Keys/Sounds
Simón is a band that I didn't know much about but the band members have been involved with bands like Face Tomorrow, Dreadlock Pussy, Viberider, Dead By Dawn and Sk;rl. Plus they have played and worked with bands such as Textures, Torche, Pelican, Callisto, A Storm Of Light, Karma To Burn, Tank 86, Izah, Amen Ra. So they must have talent right...
The answer to that question is - Yes They Fucking Do. Simón have just released their excellent 2nd album - The Innter Traveller. A hard-hitting album full of raw human emotions told through the power of music. Simón play a barrage of different sounds and noises such as Noise, Doom, Sludge, Post-Rock and Post-Metal portraying a band not afraid to defy genre expectations.
The Inner Taveller does take the listener on a very personal journey as the band have written very powerful crushing riffs to impress you with. First track - Pilgrim Roads - is an 8:13 minute epic full of sweeping riffs amongst the Post-Rock/Post-Metal landscape. Simón fuse hard hitting riffs with the excellent twin vocal attacks of Ilja and Bart to show that Simón do bring something different to the Sludge/Post-Metal world.
Second track - Down In The Valley - is another excellent track to show you what these Sludge/Post-Metallars can do. Haunting and sweeping atmospheric riffs give this track a heavy violent edge which the band use to their full advantage before the intense vocals come creeping in.
Simón are an experimental band in nature as nearly all of the songs contained on the album are very different to each other. Blissful & Peaceful Post-Rock melodies matched against loud and violent Sludge/Post-Metal riffs. It's on these louder epic riffs that the album comes to life as once Simón are in their heavier phase all hell breaks loose. Nothing can stand in their way.
Tracks such as Atmosphere Condensed, The Inner Traveller and Medallion will leave you breathless as Simón unleash a barrage of brilliant riffs that showcases their true talent. Loud and violent fragile pieces of music become ever more clearer as the album draws to its natural conclusion. Before then Simón will have you on the edge of your seat asking where the next haunting Post-Rock vibe will come so you can catch your breath. As trust me this album stays heavy as fuck on the last 25 mins or so.
The album is expertly produced and played by all involved. Simón have delivered a thunderous and brilliant album that should hopefully see them get more attention within the Sludge/Post-Metal community.
If you're a fan of Neurosis, Isis, Cult Of Luna and The Ocean then you're going to love these guys. The Inner Traveller is an essential purchase.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Christian at Redfield Records for sending ourselves a promo to review. The Inner Traveller is now available to buy from all good stockists.
Check The Band From Links Below
Official
BandCamp
