Album Type:
Album
Date Released:
Sept 1st
2014
Label: Gaphals Records
Modern Age
Mausoleum - track listing:
Gift Curse
Moth
Paragon
Misfit Opening
Hollow Bearer
Birthmarks
Heirdom
Delusional Kings
Celestial Collapse
Bio
On
the 1st of September SIBERIAN will release Modern Age Mausoleum. The
40 minutes long 9 track debute album holds both a swedish rawness and
a progressive mysticism that leads to an abyssal depth of eternal
gloominess. Using a metallic edge the band transforms a cold swedish
heritage of rage and frustration to an outburst over both society and
mankind. SIBERIAN will leave its mark in Europe in September during a
13 day long tour. The album is released through Gaphals.
The
album was recorded at Studio Underjord Norrköping Sweden. Engineered
and mixed by Joona Hassinen and mastered by Niels Nielsen from Dead
Soul. Hassinen has previously worked with Vanhelgd, Ocean Chief and
Year of the Goat. The artwork is hand painted by Mattias Frisk who
has previously worked with Ghost B.C, Maim and Night.
In
relation to the release the band will change their name to SIBERIAN.
The quartet earlier went by the name SHRINE but chooses to change it
due to other bands with similar names. Under the former name the band
released an EP through german record label "Moment of Collapse
Records", toured Germany and shared stage with bands such as
Entombed, Orange Goblin, Downfall of Gaia and Skraeckoedlan.
Review:
Before I start this
review, I need to point out that I am highly impressed with
Siberian’s debut album – Modern Age Mausoleum. A stirring,
brooding and hard-hitting debut album goes straight for the jugular.
However, there are times when Siberian copy their musical heroes and
influences a little bit too closely. The obvious references are
Mastodon and Converge, which I described, previously when I reviewed
their debut EP when they were known under the name of Shrine back in
2012.
It seems that Siberian
has been raised on a steady diet of Mastodon riffs and Converge
breakdown beats. I can detect a huge Leviathan and Remission vibe
lurking through the albums veins. The vocals are what you expect from
a Sludge Metal/Hardcore album such as this. A loud and angry presence
that keeps the mood bleak throughout.
Tracks such as Paragon,
Moth, Misfit Opening and Hollow Bearer have the right amount of
heaviness to get your heart pumping. Siberian play at a fast frenzied
pace you cannot but help but lose yourself in. Siberian come into
their own identity when they add impressive psychedelic riffs to the
mix on the album. This is where Siberian prove they may have
something about them when they start creating their own style of
music. It makes the album a much more rounded and thrilling
experience as it is a strong indication of what the band are capable
of.
There is a brilliant
riff on Misfit Opening around the 2:30 minute mark that had me
wishing Siberian should feature more of on the album. Or at least
think about going down this route on future releases. If your feeling
jaded, by Mastodon's recent output and wish they return to the
heavier progressive sludge riffs, then this is the album for you. You
will be listening to this album for days. It is a loud and violent
audio experience that will make you feel you want to throw your
entire body about in the moshpit.
Modern Age Mausoleum
has more than enough bone-crunching riffs to appeal to all
Hardcore/Sludge Metal fans that have a passion for all things LOUD &
HEAVY. For a debut album this is a great stepping stone to show what
the band can do but I hope that the band show more of their own
identity on future releases.
Thanks to Gaphals
Records.for the promo. Modern Age Mausoleum will be released on Sept
1st 2014 via Gaphals Records.
Check The Band From
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Written by Steve Howe
