Looking at the artwork to Xerath’s second album “II” and you see a small girl with her head in her hands sat on the edge of a precipice within what looks like a canyon that is filled with metallic debris after some sort of bomb blast. Vultures (they look like that) are circling above the debris as a blazing sun is setting in the background creating a nightmarish vision of some post-apocalyptic hell.
Xerath’s debut album came out of nowhere in 2009 and I got the privilege of reviewing it in April of that year and after hearing it I was left speechless such was its totally different take on symphonic progressive metal. Some two years later and the bands self proclaimed film score metal has moved on leaps and bounds, and if anything is more experimental and challenging to the listener. Their schizoid musicality is undeniable and whilst the new album is equally as epileptic in delivery there is a sense that the band has found its feet with this release and have gelled to become a far more potent and enthralling proposition.
“Unite To Defy” starts the album and immediately you are greeted with a rich film score like atmosphere, not a million miles from the recent Lord of the Rings trilogy, as the eerie symphonics and sci-fi styled ethos envelop the listener in a multitude of textures and layers. The production and mix is monumental as my prior Meshuggah comparisons are still relevant on the versatile time signatures. The band has also gone for a more groove laden format as evidenced on “God Of The Frontlines” and continues into the third part of “Reform”, the first two being on the debut. The latter boasting an absolutely wondrous riff that is amplified by the cracking double bass kick that accompanies it. The drumming style is similar to Flo Mounier with intricate patterns and complex rhythms employed. The bass work is equally infectious and fits into the song brilliantly as the track is one of my favourites of the year so far.
As a sideline the album has some ethereal milder moments similar to Devin Townsend and his projects such as Ocean Machine or even the latter “Addicted” riff laden beast. They pop up here and there without warning to create a meandering flow like structure to the album especially when they are balanced by the infusion of so many groove riffs on “The Call To Arms”. Added to all of this Xerath incorporate clean vocals alongside the harsher variety. The power groove is a dominant feature of all the songs as the album takes a swing into the hugely epic “Enemy Incited Armageddon”. A term like epic is bandied around in metal like ale at a festival but in reality few metal albums can truly say they are epic but here the term is fully justified when you have extravagant and ambitious tracks like the closer “The Glorious Death”, a two part wonder song that comprises massive choral vocals and symphonic arrangements with captivating melodies. Just sitting and listening to this album feels like you’re part of a cinematic journey through sound stimulation in some far and distant expanse in the cosmos.
Alongside the monumental new releases by Septic Flesh and The Project Hate this is turning out to be the year of authentic epic metal. Sit back and enjoy.
http://www.myspace.com/xerath
http://www.xerath.net
