Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 26/05/2017
Label: Temple
What you get is
nothing short of spectacular. The soundscape intersects multiple metal
subgenres, including funeral doom, black metal, drone and post metal. Moods
throughout are bleak, as if the rumbling seas of Solaris are flicking gently at
your mind and bouncing your hopes and fears to and fro.
“Alien World” CD//DD
track listing:
1.
Blind Ocean
2.
Mirrors
3.
Giant Monologue
4.
Dawn For Nobody
5.
Release
6.
Dried Shadows
7.
Black Wave
8.
In Memories
The Review:
Metal
has never been at a loss for concept albums. The idea versus the execution,
however, is a matter that is worthy of serious interrogation. Stories can get
clunky in the context of the songs. Or the songs can overwhelm the narrative a
group might have wanted to present. So, when a performer succeeds at an
especially grand concept, you are virtually compelled to take notice.
For
Russian experimental/post-metal band Below the Sun, the concept of the sophomore
release is quite ambitious. "Alien
World" is centered around the idea of human memory. The science
fiction novel "Solaris" by
Polish author Stanislaw Lem inspires
the recording. In the 1961 tome, scientists study the mythical oceanic planet
Solaris from their research ship, only to discover that the planet itself is
sentient and studying them. Moreover, Solaris has the ability to turn its human
subjects' innermost thoughts into material form, and to bring them face-to-face
with those creations. In the end, humanity is confronted with the truth that
the thinking and intentions of alien life are wholly beyond our comprehension.
Below the
Sun
extended its complicated storyline to its composition as well. As you listen to
"Alien World," you may be
astounded to know that none of the eight songs contain synthesisers or samplers.
Every sound you hear was made by guitars, bass, drums and vocals, though some
of it is clearly enhanced by effects pedals.
What
you get is nothing short of spectacular. The soundscape intersects multiple
metal subgenres, including funeral doom, black metal, drone and post metal.
Moods throughout are bleak, as if the rumbling seas of Solaris are flicking
gently at your mind and bouncing your hopes and fears to and fro. Those sparse
lyrics? You can just about close your eyes and see the anguished vocal in the
visage of Lem's scientists, as they
fully realize the lifeless planet they smugly believed they were prodding is
very much intelligent, and instead invading their most humbling memories. The
furious roar in "Dawn for
Nobody," which comes about halfway through this package, almost feels
a dawn of such a realization.
What
additionally makes Below the Sun's new recording so distinguished
is how it strikes all these emotional places, as much as brilliant art does,
without being easy to classify. You will notice at least two dozen influences,
including metal, classic rock, electronic and ambient music acts. Yet Below the Sun
doesn't ape them or feel like a repeat. Its concept and sound is autochthonous,
a base from which others may emerge.
"Alien World" is available here:
