By: Charlie Butler
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 28/04/2017
Label: Translation Loss
Kenoma
are firmly focused on the metal side of the post-metal equation for the most
part of “The Tides Will Prevail” and manage to create huge, enveloping sound
constructions reliant on intricate interlocking guitar parts rather than a
phalanx of effects pedals. The albums extended
gestation period has produced an absorbing set of finely honed post-metal
behemoths.
“The Tides Will Prevail” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1).
The 33rd Parallel
2).
1913
3).
Curse of Tecumseh
4).
Sleeping Prophet
5).
Nature of Empire
The Review:
Bands often take their time to craft their debut
full-length but it rarely takes a staggering eleven years. Dayton, Ohio instrumentalists
Kenoma have had some ups and downs since their 2006 split
with Mouth of the Architect but they have battled
through and now emerge triumphant with “The Tides Will Prevail”.
This extended gestation period has produced an
absorbing set of finely honed post-metal behemoths. “33rd Parallel”
begins in crushing fashion, a slow motion crawl with echoes of Yob and Pallbearer. A stirring
melodic guitar line rises from the smouldering ashes of this introduction that
drives the track towards an epic riff onslaught. Kenoma
are firmly focused on the metal side of the post-metal equation for the most
part of “The Tides Will Prevail” and manage to create huge, enveloping
sound constructions reliant on intricate interlocking guitar parts rather than
a phalanx of effects pedals.
The band are not completely averse to the subtle
integration of otherworldly textures into the mix though.
“Sleeping
Prophet” opens with a wall of woozy synths that morph into hazy psych
rock in the vein of Grails while
apocalyptic closer “Nature of Empire” starts as a menacing cloud of delayed guitars
then erupts into punishing doom laden with samples of air raid sirens. Even
when Kenoma lay off the volume it is never long
until they unleash their full weight again, like when the sparse nocturnal
quiet of “Curse Of Tecumseh” is engulfed by a wave of sweet distortion.
Kenoma’s distinct brand of sludged-up, riff-heavy
post-metal is a welcome racket in 2017. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another
eleven years to produce the follow-up to “The Tides Will Prevail”.
“The
Tides Will Prevail” is available to preorder/buy here
