By: Charlie Butler
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 10/03/2017
Label: Independent
“Ain-Soph
Aur” is a heavy experience on all levels. The band have dialled back the volume
and slowed the tempo from previous releases which has unexpectedly resulted in
increased impact. This album is towering
achievement from In The Company Of Serpents. It is a fine addition to an
already distinguished discography and an inspiring work that sets the standard
for heavy music in 2017.
“Ain-Soph Aur” DD//LP track listing:
1). Middle
Pillar
2).
Nothingness
3). Crucible
4). Merkabah
5).
Limitless Nothingness
6).
Limitless Light
The Review:
“Middle
Pillar”
opens the album in punishing fashion, a relentless steamroller that destroys all
in its path. This track acts a meeting point between the bands aggressive
sludge roots and the grandiose widescreen destruction embraced over the course
of this record.
There are
many bands that employ quiet/loud dynamics, maximum reverb usage and crushing
doom riffage. In
The Company of Serpents employ all of these elements here but their
attention to detail and method of delivery have resulted in a completely
absorbing and unique sounding record. The fact that this dense, multi-faceted
music is the work of only two people is even more mind-boggling and impressive.
The key to
this record’s distinct atmosphere is the dark country influence that runs
through its veins. On paper, the combination of doom and country doesn’t sound
like a winner. However, In The Company Of Serpents recognise the
common ground between these two disparate genres and bring them together to
create a glorious noise. “Ain-Soph Aur” brings to mind Panopticon’s
similarly unlikely black metal/bluegrass classic “Kentucky
“Crucible”
and “Limitless
Light” demonstrate the band fully embracing their new sound to create
epic, awe-inspiring journeys into uncharted heavy territory. The former is
particularly striking when the brooding dustbowl menace of the song’s first
half is shattered by an onslaught of devastating sludge. Imagine Earth
and Neurosis
joining forces to provide the soundtrack for True Detective and you have an
idea of the eerie heaviness to be found here.
In The Company Of Serpents’ massive riff explorations
are obviously their main strength but the shorter acoustic tracks are just as
effective and integral to the flow of the album. The sparse minimalism of “Nothingness”
and “Limitless
Nothingness” provide periods of bleak calm that are as hypnotic as the
explosions of volume that surround.
“Ain-Soph Aur” is a towering achievement from In The Company
Of Serpents. It is a fine addition to an already distinguished
discography and an inspiring work that sets the standard for heavy music in
2017.
“Ain-Soph Aur” is available to preorder/buy here
FFO: Neurosis, Yob, Earth,
Scott Kelly
