Sunday 24 July 2016

Cranial - "Dead Ends" EP (Review)

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: EP
Date Released: 02/09/2015
Label: Moment of Collapse


Cranial forge epic journeys that marry the weighty post metal of early Pelican to the hefty crunch of Mastodon’s “Remission” with captivating results. Bursts of soaring post-rock are employed to provide contrast to the onslaught of chugging armageddon. “Dead Ends” ably demonstrates why Cranial is the perfect name for this band. This is brainy music - intelligently constructed yet skull-crushingly heavy.


“Dead End” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Nightbringer
2). Limes

The Review

Würzberg quartet, Cranial have risen from the ashes of instrumental heavyweights Omega Massif. Anyone who misses that band will find ample solace in “Dead Ends”.

Here are only two tracks to savour on this impressive debut release but these lengthy compositions pack in more twists and turns than most LPs. Cranial forge epic journeys that marry the weighty post metal of early Pelican to the hefty crunch of Mastodon’sRemission” with captivating results. The band navigate shifts in tempo and volume with ease and manage to avoid the pitfalls of obvious build and release dynamics. Bursts of soaring post-rock are employed to provide contrast to the onslaught of chugging armageddon. The delayed lead guitar rising from the smoking pit of distortion in the middle of “Nightbringer” heightens the emotional impact without feeling cheesy or unnecessary.

Cranial mostly let the riffs do the talking but sparingly deploy vocals to powerful effect. Huge reverb-drenched roars occasionally emerge from the wall of noise to heighten the drama, lending an air of black metal to proceedings. This is particularly effective during the cacophonous climax of “Limes”.as the heavily effected vocals blur the boundary between voice and instruments.

Dead Ends” ably demonstrates why Cranial is the perfect name for this band. This is brainy music - intelligently constructed yet skull-crushingly heavy.

Dead Ends” is available here



Band info: facebook