I knew nothing before diving in.
I don’t want to spoil this album for you by telling you all the things best discovered on your own. I didn’t know the band or material before diving in and I was completely blown away with every minute of this album. I kid not. Mesmerised.
The band come from space Perth and have aptly adopted doom-gaze as their prefix. The shoe fits. If you enjoy a slow burner, can sit patiently and let the music take you to places, this is the pinnacle. You will lose count of the many twists and turn by the time you’re even 10 minutes in.
The opener ‘Escape’ is a beautiful instrumental set up for the lead single ‘Fear To Hide’ and that in turn is an emotional trek through doom and shoegaze. There’s something in the music that lends itself quite easily to the slow, heavy brooding which such genre-tags would have you expect. Interesting thing is, before you get there…the band has already been through melodic territory, soft starts, acoustic parts, ambience, harmonies and singing. There’s some really uplifting chords and motifs, moments of really big heavy music that also sounds hopeful and positive. The flipside is equally dark and severe. When the weather turns and the clouds gather, the brutal vocals drop in, guitar tones thicken and it’s all going to hell. Slowly and loudly.
If you liked ISIS, then you will loose your shit over this. Pallbearer, Pelican, Cult Of Luna, Russian Circles…you got it. This is the album you’ve been waiting to hear from an Australian act. ‘Fear’ inspires idea’s of sadness, desperation, hope and strength. The slower pace of the album is probably what gives these feelings a chance to rise and wouldn’t be out of place on an indie film soundtrack.
I can’t say too much for fear of giving away the best surprises but the final track on the album is a lengthy 20 minute inning that could have been made as a standalone release. It curiously mirrors everything that is covered on the first 4 tracks and in many ways compiles these idea’s and musical themes into an epic singular work. I appreciate that for many people 20 minutes might be a bit of an ask..but as someone who admires the work of artists such as Fourteen Nights At Sea and the infamous Tangled Thoughts of Leaving.. this was a joy.
Do not sleep on this.
Album drops 20th September and you can pre-order digital or vinyl bundles right here:
https://skullcave.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/skullcaveband/
