Shakhtyor - 'Tunguska' (Album Review)

Album Type: Full-Length

Date Released: 24/04/2015

Label: Cyclone Empire

‘Tunguska’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Baryon 09:43
2. Pechblende 03:42
3. Zerfall 10:28
4. Schlagwetter 07:01
5. Tunguska 07:24
6. Solaris  09:50

Shakhytor is:

Christian Müller | Bass
Nils Langbehn | Drums
Christian Herzog | Guitars, F/X

Review:

Shakhtyor return with more rumbling post/alt. Metal instrumentals. The German group follow up their self titled opus with six tracks of morbid complexity and darkness. Opener “Baryon” sets the tone with creepy dynamics and truly devastating bass sound.

“Pechblende” offers up a sound effect laden intro and then more angular instrumental sounds over its (relatively) short playing time. All of the tracks here are over seven minutes in length except for this one.

“Zerfall” is ominous and brooding and builds a real atmosphere before punishing sections of grinding riffage. “Schlagwetter” mines similar inspiration and again uses dynamics amidst the carnage to de-construct and rebuild. The title track is a noisy beast while the nigh on ten minutes of “Solaris” finishes this impressive album strongly and allows the musicians to spread their wings further for the playing time.

If you like this type of thing (fans of Today is The Day is a possible reference point) then you will love this album... if you are not a fan instrumental post metal then it won't change your mind, even though it should. In short, this is a fine album of heavy and atmospheric instrumental post metal. I welcome it.

Words by: Richard Maw

‘Tunguska’ is available here

For more information:

Listen: www.shakhtyor.bandcamp.com 
Like: www.facebook.com/shakhtyorband

SHAKHTYOR - SHAKHTYOR (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 26/4/2013

Label: Cyclone Empire

 

If you are interested in instrumental metal/post metal and/or fancy a change from the last Dragged Into Sunlight record this album could be what you are looking for. A strong album from a powerhouse musical trio.

 

“Shakhtyor” CD//DD//LP tracklisting:

1. E. Jasper (08:55)

2. Handschuhmann (07:38)

3. Паук Риба (13:18)

4. K.I. (11:02)

 

The Review:

 

Shakhytor play sludge/doom/post metal etc. They are from Germany. A fine start. The album is entirely instrumental. If you think an instrumental record couldn't hold your attention for 48 minutes plus, think again. The record starts with an almost classic rock style lick as “E. Jasper” lurches into life. What follows is by turns groove ridden, noisy, bleak, urgent and slothful. The nine minute track length flies by.

 

“Handschuhmann” follows with a muffled drum intro that gradually fades in along with guitars that conjure up images of grey industrial skies and windswept countryside alike. The rhythm section rumbles effectively before an unorthodox riff passage takes hold. The bass has a nicely distorted tone that acts as a well produced bridge to the clean sounding drums and dirty guitar tones (Luke warm water to their fire and ice!). The riffing takes a more doomy turn at the midpoint with some Sabbath and more modern doom inflections present. The track draws to a creepy close and “K.I.” buzzes into earshot.

 

The track is perhaps more slow burning and the riffing doesn't really start until two minutes in or so, but when it does the music is interesting and never sticks in one place too long. The tracks kind of evolve or mutate rather than running cyclically. This is a fine approach for this type of record. String refrains are fine and do surface occasionally here but mostly the tracks move forwards; this adds a sense of momentum to the record. There are some quieter passages that allow the pace to slow down a little and thus give the track room to breathe a little.

 

“Паук Риба” opens starkly and then the thirteen minute opus builds up slowly with layered guitar. Six minutes pass and the noise is building up, the bass lines fluid and drums hammering away dynamically. It all breaks down again and crashes again- the wave returning to shore. Some sound effects can be heard at the nine minute mark as the music again twists towards a build up. The final two and half minutes carry the wave of sound forwards towards the albums conclusion as the guitar becomes more frenetic and the rhythm section underpins

 

skilfully. A superb riffing passage closes things out and the album is over.

If you are interested in instrumental metal/post metal and/or fancy a change from the last Dragged Into Sunlight record this album could be what you are looking for. A strong album from a powerhouse musical trio.

Band info: Bandcamp || Facebook