By: TJ Kliebhan
Album Type:
Full Length
Date Released: 08/04/2016
Label: Indie Recordings
Label: Indie Recordings
While both artist’s individual talents
are showcased this effort never feels like the two artists were unfamiliar with
each other. Rather, this album can trick you into thinking this is one artist
rather than two. There is an utter lack of competing sounds, styles, or egos. The
spotlight is entirely shared and makes “Mariner” a highlight of a how a seamless
collaboration record can sound.
“Mariner” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1).
A Greater Call
2).
Chevron
3).
The Wreck of S.S. Needle
4).
Approaching Transition
5),
Cygnus
The Review:
April has been a good month for
metal collaborations. After getting an excellent release from The Body& Full of Hell, the
08/4/2016 saw the release of “Mariner”-a joint project from
post-metal pioneers Cult of Luna and
vocalist extraordinaire Julie Christmas. “Mariner” features 55 minutes of
material over 5 post-rock and sludge rock tracks which largely explores a theme
of space exploration. Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas had been attempting to collaborate for over a year before it finally managed to happen,
but the wait was worth it. “Mariner”
is a refreshing stop in the Cult of Luna
discography. Christmas offers a different hue in the band
that has not existed in their heavy extended pieces before. For Julie Christmas, her voice in conjunction with Johannes
Persson’s growl creates even more dissonance than a project featuring just her own.
By sharing the microphone, Christmas’ wide range and
high pitched voice is even more distinguishing due to Persson offering a
baritone platform for her to project from.
The vocal prowess from Persson and Christmas is what keeps this record great on further
listens. While Persson remains ferocious throughout these long songs Julie Christmas shows off her varying vocal chops. There
are parts on this record where Christmas sounds quite melodic
and pleasant. The opening track, “A
Greater Call” features Christmas putting on
her best Lauren Mayberry impression while Cult of Luna’s plodding
post-rock atmosphere give her vocals enormous space to fill. Julie Christmas’ unique croon is incredibly ethereal here. Her
scintillating vocals are the only relief from Persson’s relentless scowls that
also can surprise listeners at any moment.
“The Wreck of S.S. Needle” is
the highlight track of this record because of its ability to showcase the range
of talents these artists possess. By utilizing numerous Christmas
vocal tracks and playing them all in a sequential layered method an angelic or
perhaps cathartic effect is created at its climax. The track as a whole feels
immense after five minutes of dramatic buildup featuring trudging guitars and
synth crescendos that follow the lead of Christmas’ vocal
inflections.
The two more melodic tracks act as
safe havens between tracks centered on big riffs and a dark post-rock
atmosphere. While Christmas does sing
pleasantly for moments on this album, she does not hesitate from implementing
her trademark dissonant screech either. Cult of Luna
appropriately picks up the pace to match her energy. The final track “Cygnus” features pummeling drums and a
nimble guitar scale that draws the attention to Cult of Luna’s
guitar prowess which remained relatively reserved until now. This track
features the best climactic maelstrom and serves as an appropriate closer. What
is quickly apparent on this record is the fantastic drumming from Thomas
Headlund which drives all five of these tracks by electing to use power and
timing rather than flash.
This collaboration was effective
because the two artists’ talents stylistically matched up, or at least Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas present
a convincing argument that they did. “Mariner”
is a focused project that accomplishes most of what it sets out to do. Although
the concept of space exploration wasn’t very thoroughly carved out the music
can stand without the concept behind it. Julie Christmas sounds
natural behind the sludgy riffs and her vocal harmonies and dissonances with
Persson are incredibly powerful. While both artist’s individual talents are showcased
this effort never feels like the two artists were unfamiliar with each other.
Rather, this album can trick you into thinking this is one artist rather than
two. There is an utter lack of competing sounds, styles, or egos. The spotlight
is entirely shared and makes “Mariner” a highlight of a how a seamless
collaboration record can sound.
“Mariner”
is available here
Band
info: cultoflunamusic
