DOMKRAFT - The Bane

DOMKRAFT - The Bane

from the album Slow Fidelity
And the last one from me for today's #MittwochMetalMix:
#Piece: Rambler's Axe
Novarupta â Astral Sands Review
By Carcharodon
Novaruptaâs Astral Sands is the fourth and final part of a tetralogy based on the elements fire, water, air, and earth. Covering the âearthâ part of that equation, Astral Sands follows âair,â which came in the form of 2022âs Carrion Movements. A departure from previous outings, that album was an instrumental piece, comprising just two sprawling compositions but was executed so well that I couldnât help but award it a 4.0. Astral Sands sees Novarupta not only reintroduce the vocals but return to the model seen on the seriesâ first two installments, Disillusioned Fire and Marine Snow, respectively, working with a different vocalist for each track on the album. Despite this choice having the potential to sap cohesion, to date Novarupta has somehow made it work. Can the band see out its ambitious series on a high?
Compared to the ethereal grandeur and restraint of Carrion Movements, there is an instant sense of presence and immediacy to Astral Sands from the off, even on instrumental intro âEnsamstĂ„ende: EnastĂ„ende.â The whole record combines a heavily distorted sound, that borders on sludge in the atmosphere it generates, without actually delivering sludge in the music (opening of âSeven Collidesâ or the back half of âTerraforming Celestial Bodies,â for example). In that sense, thereâs something of Bosskâs Migration about it. Paired with upbeat drumming that borders on d-beat in places (closer âNow We are Here (at the Inevitable End)â or âThe Clay Keepsâ), Novarupta has a propulsive energy throughout that is at odds with much of their previous output, which is often ponderous and slow build. Even as Novarupta descend into morose trad doom a la Tiamat (âBreathe Breathe,â with vocals from Patrik WirĂ©n of Misery Loves Co.) thereâs a shimmering lightness to the guitars, enhanced by the synths, which slide from left to right and back again in the mix, that keeps the whole surprisingly vibrant.
Inevitably, with an album that changes vocalist on eight of its nine tracks (with one instrumental number), your enjoyment of Astral Sands will vary somewhat track by track, according to whose voice you like best. The indisputable highlight of the pieceâat least for me and itâs my review, so itâs indisputable for present purposesâis closer, âNow We are Here (at the Inevitable End),â which finds Martin Wegeland of Domkraft on mic duties. Initially airy, vulnerable, and breathy in his delivery, by the end of the track and, therefore, the album, Wegeland hits the sort of manic intensity and urgency that I look for in the likes of Julie Christmas. Other standouts include the almost poppy âEndless Joyâ and âTerraforming Celestial Bodies,â with the latter (featuring Greanleafâs Arvid HĂ€llagĂ„rd on vox) nodding towards The Cure.1
Throughout the shifts in pacing and mood on Astral Sands, driven principally by the ever-changing vocal line-up, thereâs a consistency in the sound, which knits together Novaruptaâs songwriting. Whether itâs the lush post-metal guitars and bass groove (âCosmographiaâ), or the spangly, fizzing synths, thereâs a through line to the record that holds it together. It also helps that the various singers adopt a broadly comparable approach, with no harsh vocals on show and most taking a slightly distant, almost 80s-synthwave approach to their delivery. The production throughout, presumably to deliver that earthy feel, leans heavily into fuzz and distortion at the front of the soundstage, even though thereâs an almost crystalline quality to some of the soundscapes and melodies behind that.
To be honest, I had no idea what to expect from Astral Sands. I had been tipped off in advance that the vocals were back but had resolutely resisted listening to the singles. And Iâll admit I was nervous. While I enjoyed Marine Snow, for me the highlight of Novaruptaâs catalogue was Carrion Movements, where the abandonment of ever-shifting vocalists allowed mainmen Alex Stjernfeldt and Arjen Kunnen to focus on their compositions, which were huge in scope and delicately executed. On Astral Sands, the pair have reverted to their previous model, while learning from what they delivered on Carrion Movements. Although the album is structured as nine tracks, there is flow and a sense of grandeur to it, which builds on Carrion Movements. Even the bookending of the album, with reflected similarities between the start of sonorous opener âEnsamstĂ„ende: EnastĂ„endeâ and more intense closer âNow We are Here (at the Inevitable End),â highlights this. More than a worthy closing movement in Novaruptaâs tetralogy, Astral Sands is the pick of the series.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Suicide Records
Website: facebook.com/novaruptaband
Releases Worldwide: February 14th, 2025
#2025 #40 #AlternativeMetal #AmbientMetal #AstralSands #Bossk #Domkraft #Feb25 #Geenleaf #JulieChristmas #MiseryLovesCo_ #Novarupta #PostMetal #Review #Reviews #SuicideRecords #SwedishMetal #TheCure #Tiamat
En ole paljoa kuunnellut metallia tÀssÀ lÀhivuosina, mutta tuossa Domkraftissa on jotain kivaa ja kutkuttelevaa siellÀ ÀÀnilietteen seassa.
Domkraft op #sonicwhip
Als de drummer een Apex Ten shirt aan heeft, beloofd dat wel wat goeds.
Desertfest announce initial 2024 NYC lineup (Russian Circles, Acid King, Green Lung, more)
https://www.brooklynvegan.com/desertfest-announce-initial-2024-nyc-lineup-russian-circles-acid-king-more/
#brooklynvegan_category_music #Heavy_Metal #Music #tour_dates #abrams #Belzebong #DEATHCHANT #Desertfest #Desertfest_NYC #Domkraft #Dozer #Gozu #Green_Lung #Guhts #Hippie_Death_Cult #Kadabra #Russian_Circles #Truckfighters
Domkraft - Whispers [Official Music Video]
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