Geneva was not a bad album, but Russian Circles' sound didn't quite become polished until the release of Empros in 2011. They mixed a brutally heavy post metal, atmosphere and sheer power in a way that they had not done before. This new sound resonated with metal fans around the world, and Russian Circles had found their style. But the release of their newest album, Memorial, seems to swerve in yet another new different direction. Instead of constant raw power, the Chicago three-piece decided to incorporate more ambiance, which really adds some variety to their sound, for the better. If they were to repeat Empros, this album would have gone straight down hill.
Memorial offers a brilliant mix of both spacey, psychedelic songs, as well as ground-shaking monsters that borrow power from Empros but have an advanced sound. "Memoriam" starts the album out on a sort of sorrowful note. The track is acoustic with violins and serves as a gentle intro for what is about to come. Then "Deficit" slaps you with a slow and steady hand, reminding you just who you are dealing with. Eerie guitars and steady drums lift the song as the intensity builds and subsides rhythmically. When I say their album has variety, it not only has different sounding songs, but the album itself is set up in such a way that the songs blend perfectly when played in order.
"Cheyenne" and the pure post-rocky goodness of "1777" offer a soft break between all of the madness. But when it's time to pummel, like "Burial" and "Lebaron," Russian Circles certainly step up to the plate. One of the best tracks is the last track, "Memorial," featuring Chelsea Wolfe. Wolfe is in her own band, appropriately titled Chelsea Wolfe, who play haunting, creepy, music. Wolfe's vocals totally alters the sound of Russian Circles, and in an awesome way. The airiness and fluidity of her soft, serene, vocals appropriately accompany the engulfing tranquility of the music. The track ends the album on a solid note, and exemplifies the skill of their musicianship and flexabiity.
"Cheyenne" and the pure post-rocky goodness of "1777" offer a soft break between all of the madness. But when it's time to pummel, like "Burial" and "Lebaron," Russian Circles certainly step up to the plate. One of the best tracks is the last track, "Memorial," featuring Chelsea Wolfe. Wolfe is in her own band, appropriately titled Chelsea Wolfe, who play haunting, creepy, music. Wolfe's vocals totally alters the sound of Russian Circles, and in an awesome way. The airiness and fluidity of her soft, serene, vocals appropriately accompany the engulfing tranquility of the music. The track ends the album on a solid note, and exemplifies the skill of their musicianship and flexabiity.
No comments:
Post a Comment