Album Type:
Full-Length
Date Released: 24/02/2015
Label: Self
Released
‘Taken By The Sun’
CD//DD track listing:
1).
Scars
2).
Demons Tempt The Dying Man With Crowns
3).
Fuse
4).
Red
5).
Detached
6).
Volatile
7).
Confessions Of An Opium Eater
8).
Ornaflux
Taken
By The Sun is:
William
Arroyo | bass
Patrick Auclair | guitars, vocals
Justin Cape | drums
Mark Cichra | guitars, vocals
Kris Ziemlo | vocals
Patrick Auclair | guitars, vocals
Justin Cape | drums
Mark Cichra | guitars, vocals
Kris Ziemlo | vocals
Review:
Chicago-based
post-metal band, Taken by the Sun, has truly made a record that pushes the
genre forward; this self-titled album is dense with different styles and
experimentation. It is 8 tracks of pure originality and it is rare to find this
level of innovation. I heard different opinions about what this album was like,
mostly what was said is that it contains “a bit of everything."
Now,
whenever I hear a statement like that, I am skeptical but in this case it is
absolutely true. This album pushes and tempers what doom and stoner metal is.
The opener “Scars” starts with some crowd chants which cut in and out between the
fury that is Kris Zielmlo’s vocals. Later on these quick cuts turn to silence
which builds an immense amount of tension and moves the track into some great
aggressive moments. I really enjoy the backup vocals on this track and how they
keep the music together, it’s a nice touch. The second track “Demons Tempt the
Dying Man with Crowns” has a grindy nature to it but leaves an impact with an
end of the world doom section that brings the track to its end. My favorite
track on the album is “Fuse”; it has the most to offer on this record. It
clocks in around seven minutes and I’d like to think it showcases what this
band can do. The leads are amazing and it has such a great stoner metal feel to
it. There’s a lot of experimenting during this track, they eventually jump into
a blue grassy type of riff and from then on the band introduces some great
softer vocal work. The track ends with a great build up from some spacey guitar
riffs.
“Red”
sticks out on this album but it’s still a very jammy track. It starts off with
some chugging on the guitar and opens into a more marching feel but it turns
into a very satisfying doom riff. This track is extremely diverse. “Detached”
pushes their experimenting further with crazy guitar work; good headphones
really show off what’s going on during these sections. “Volatile” is more of a
forward moving track and has a post metal feel to it. There are some big
sections and a very nice guitar solo. “Confessions of an Opium Eater” is an
instrumental track that ties in with the final track “Ornaflux”. I love how
these tracks work together, at first it feels like you’re getting a break from
all the heaviness but you’re just blasted with a wall of sound. The vocals
really shine on this track and you get to really hear Kris Zielmlo’s range.
Overall it’s a great closer for the album.
Taken by the Sun’s self-titled album is
eight tracks of greatness. You will not be disappointed with a single second of
this record. I recommend it to anyone who loves metal because of how diverse
this album is but if you want to get a feel for how the band sounds give “Fuse”
a listen. This album will take you by surprise and will become an instant favorite.
Words by: Jihad Nasser
‘Taken
By The Sun’ is available here
For more information:
Listen: https://takenbythesunchicago.bandcamp.com/ | Official: http://www.takenbythesun.com/
| Like: https://www.facebook.com/takenbythesun
