Album Type:
Album
Date Released:
21st
November 2014
Label:
ConSouling Sounds
Bring Down The
Sky – Track Listing
1.Transcendence
04:22
2.The Ocean Calls us
Home 07:55
3.Ostara 10:25
4.The Silver Forest
09:00
5.Bring Down the Sky
11:14
Bio
Forming in 2011 from
the ashes of Holoscene, Toronto/Northumberland based musicians Jim
Field and Dorian Williamson came together to create Northumbria and
in turn craft sweeping, improvised drones which combine their
personal influences and individual soundscapes in order to manifest
an aural journey into a dystopian wasteland.
Utilising only
guitar and bass and recording their work completely live, Northumbria
released their debut in 2012 on Montreal’s TQA Records, which began
their sonic expanse into the consciousness of the music appreciating
public.
Northumbria was
recorded in the sanctuary of a 19th century church in Northumberland
County and the resulting compositions are imbued with the ambience of
the setting as well as a stately grace, something that permeates all
their following work.
2013 saw Northumbria
issue a remix project – All Days Begin as Night – on Altar of
Waste Records, which featured new takes on original pieces and was
contributed to by peers - Theologian and Aidan Baker among them.
A split with North
Atlantic Drift followed as well as a wonderfully received video for
the track Black Sea of Trees. Northumbria have also featured on a
number of online mixtapes and have curated their own for CVLT Nation.
Recently the band performed a live set for Darkfloor Radio and the
future looks to be both busy and bright.
Northumbria will be
releasing 3” CD-R on Cathedral Transmissions soon and the new full
length – entitled Bring Down The Sky –will be issued this coming
November via ConSouling Sounds.
Members
Jim Field: Guitar
Dorian Williamson:
Bass guitar
Review:
Ambient/Post-Rock/Drone
Metal Duo – Nothumbria – return with their eagerly awaited new
album – Bring Down The Sky – being released on Consouling
Records.
Opening
track – Transcendence – starts the album at a slow leisurely pace
with streams of Drone/Post Rock chimes slowly coming to life with
each passing second. It's a tranquil feeling that gives you the
impression that everything is calm within the world around you.
Layers of Drone based noises and sonic riffs add a soothing post-rock
melody that hides a tragic understanding of loss and human emotion.
It maybe the shortest track here but it's the perfect opening for
Northumbria to welcome into their dark world.
Second
track – The Ocean Calls Us Home – sees a lengthy drone based
guitar riff slowly playing a hollow note before elements of Drone
based noises become louder with each passing second. Northumbria
start adding different layers of musical instruments with the
emphasis firmly on the Drone/Post-Rock aspect. It has a progressive
rock/jazz feel which only heightens the emotional impact of the song.
It feels you are actually drifting in the ocean itself where you're a
million miles away from humanity. You can sense danger lurking as
Northumbria draw you in with stunning atmospherics. The mood and
atmosphere becomes ever more violent and distant to show you that
Northumbria can turn into a more dangerous unit. Though it's all
beautifully put together with every note, sound and riff, all having
a purpose to show you what Northumbria are all about.
Third
track – Ostara – carries on the sense of pain and loss told
through Northumbria's majestic vision. The song has a serene and
almost hypnotic feel with Northumbria exploring the Post Rock and
Drone elements of their music to the maximum level. Noises and
ambient sounds are played together for an almost out-of-body
experience. I know Drone Music in general is not the most
appreciative of genres but I always admire people and artists who
create music such as this. As they put their entire souls into the
creative process. You can feel with this with Northumbria's latest
opus. Ostara is a highly captivating and even thought provoking song
that will speak volumes to you.
Fourth
Track – The Silver Forest – is probably the more experimental
track on the album as it sees Jim and Dorian venturing into the world
of electronica. It's a more harsher and colder song compared to the
other tracks but it still has the familiar Drone/Post-Rock vibes that
came before for it. I felt at times I was listening to the classic
Blade Runner soundtrack. I mean that as a huge compliment to
Northumbria. The 2nd half of the song sees Northumbria
venturing further into their Drone identity as the environment around
you becomes ever so louder and more disturbing at the same time.
That
leads us onto the last track – Bring Down The Sky – which finally
sees Northumbria unleashing some Drone based loud as hell Post-Metal
atmospherics to make this the albums stand-out track. I do wish
Northumbria added some heavier guitar parts in some of the songs as
they do here. As it's where the album fully comes to life and you're
more grateful for experiencing the whole album.
Bring
Down The Sky is a haunting, disturbing and brooding musical odyssey
which you won't easily forget. This is a massive sounding album. If
you're a fan of Post-Rock/Ambient/Drone music then you cannot ignore
this album. It's a work of art. An outstanding album.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Dorian, ConSouling Sounds Viral Propaganda PR for sending a promo
to review. Bringing Down The Sky is available to buy on DD via
BandCamp and CD via ConSouling Sounds.
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