Tuesday 12 August 2014

Siberian - Modern Age Mausoleum (Album Review)


Album Type: Album
Date Released: Sept 1st 2014
Label: Gaphals Records

Modern Age Mausoleum - track listing:

Gift Curse
Moth
Paragon
Misfit Opening
Hollow Bearer
Birthmarks
Heirdom
Delusional Kings
Celestial Collapse

Bio

On the 1st of September SIBERIAN will release Modern Age Mausoleum. The 40 minutes long 9 track debute album holds both a swedish rawness and a progressive mysticism that leads to an abyssal depth of eternal gloominess. Using a metallic edge the band transforms a cold swedish heritage of rage and frustration to an outburst over both society and mankind. SIBERIAN will leave its mark in Europe in September during a 13 day long tour. The album is released through Gaphals.

The album was recorded at Studio Underjord Norrköping Sweden. Engineered and mixed by Joona Hassinen and mastered by Niels Nielsen from Dead Soul. Hassinen has previously worked with Vanhelgd, Ocean Chief and Year of the Goat. The artwork is hand painted by Mattias Frisk who has previously worked with Ghost B.C, Maim and Night.

In relation to the release the band will change their name to SIBERIAN. The quartet earlier went by the name SHRINE but chooses to change it due to other bands with similar names. Under the former name the band released an EP through german record label "Moment of Collapse Records", toured Germany and shared stage with bands such as Entombed, Orange Goblin, Downfall of Gaia and Skraeckoedlan.

Review:

Before I start this review, I need to point out that I am highly impressed with Siberian’s debut album – Modern Age Mausoleum. A stirring, brooding and hard-hitting debut album goes straight for the jugular. However, there are times when Siberian copy their musical heroes and influences a little bit too closely. The obvious references are Mastodon and Converge, which I described, previously when I reviewed their debut EP when they were known under the name of Shrine back in 2012.

It seems that Siberian has been raised on a steady diet of Mastodon riffs and Converge breakdown beats. I can detect a huge Leviathan and Remission vibe lurking through the albums veins. The vocals are what you expect from a Sludge Metal/Hardcore album such as this. A loud and angry presence that keeps the mood bleak throughout.

Tracks such as Paragon, Moth, Misfit Opening and Hollow Bearer have the right amount of heaviness to get your heart pumping. Siberian play at a fast frenzied pace you cannot but help but lose yourself in. Siberian come into their own identity when they add impressive psychedelic riffs to the mix on the album. This is where Siberian prove they may have something about them when they start creating their own style of music. It makes the album a much more rounded and thrilling experience as it is a strong indication of what the band are capable of.

There is a brilliant riff on Misfit Opening around the 2:30 minute mark that had me wishing Siberian should feature more of on the album. Or at least think about going down this route on future releases. If your feeling jaded, by Mastodon's recent output and wish they return to the heavier progressive sludge riffs, then this is the album for you. You will be listening to this album for days. It is a loud and violent audio experience that will make you feel you want to throw your entire body about in the moshpit.

Modern Age Mausoleum has more than enough bone-crunching riffs to appeal to all Hardcore/Sludge Metal fans that have a passion for all things LOUD & HEAVY. For a debut album this is a great stepping stone to show what the band can do but I hope that the band show more of their own identity on future releases.

Thanks to Gaphals Records.for the promo. Modern Age Mausoleum will be released on Sept 1st 2014 via Gaphals Records.

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Written by Steve Howe