[2013 - Indie Recordings]
So 5 years have elapsed since
Cult of Luna were writing and recording Eternal Kingdom, and now they
have returned to the studio to dish out another 60 or so minutes of cathartic goodness. Time to reinvent the wheel, or play
safe.?
'Vertikal' manages to carve out a new direction for the band in style and production,
and yet retain their unmistakable brand of crushing post-metal... and it all comes off as
effortless and natural as usual. Did we expect anything less?
The
dystopian imagery and art that they have surrounded themselves with
and cited as inspiration for the album is apparent after just a few
seconds of 'The One', which brings to mind the brilliantly ominous
intro 'Inside Fort Meade' from 2003's 'The Beyond'. [A decade ago
already?]
Dark synths then give way to a
brutal and familiar wall of distortion and anger, which leads into 'I: The Weapon', one of the strongest
and instantly catchy tracks on the album, a true headbanger. We then
again explore slightly new territory in sprawling 19 minute opus
'Vicarious Redemption', which does not outstay its welcome nor sound
forced. If Alfred Hitchcock were alive today, I can imagine him
enjoying the suspense here! Arguably the focal centrepoint of the
record and also perhaps one of the finest songs they have ever
written. A voyage..
There is time to catch your
breath during interlude 'The Sweep', which comes and goes without
offering much other than cementing the dark cold and sci-fi
atmosphere. The sounds of repetition and
fear continue through the track 'Synchronicity', which carries a
quite brilliant riff for seven minutes through subtle variations. The
second half of this song in particular is a personal highlight:
trademark chugging guitar riffage over careful and precise drumming,
which is easily one of the catchiest sections of music they have
written. The album continues going from strength to strength with
'Mute Departure' which is a lesson in dynamics. The stark theme of
Vertikal perhaps calls for less moments of beauty than previous
releases (particularly masterpiece 'Salvation') so it is most welcome
here.
'Disharmonia' is a challenging and
unsettling interlude that breaks up the second half of the record
before 'In Awe Of' again demonstrates why this band are now
deserving of their legendary status amongst underground metal fans.
The album then draws to a close with 'Passing Through' which will
wind you down and help you to come to terms with what you have just
listened to.
It is too early to tell for sure
whether this will stand up to their finest hour of 'Salvation', or
indeed the incredible 'The Beyond', 'Eternal Kingdom' or 'Somewhere
Along the Highway'.. but one thing is immediately clear. They have
done it again. An agonising 5 year wait now seems completely worth it
somehow. Thanks again CoL for showing everyone how it's done. See you in Wolverhampton.
95/100
- SCOTT
FOR FANS OF: Neurosis, Isis,
Pelican, Godspeed! You Black Emperor, Amenra
ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: 'I: The
Weapon', 'Vicarious Redemption', Synchronicity', 'Mute Departure'
Check out 'I: The Weapon' here;
