Release
date: October 06th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD
The
Island – Tracklisting
1.The
Great Storm of 1703 13:41
2.Hy-Brasil
05:11
3.Monolith
09:28
4.The
Abyss 06:37
5.The
Great Race 06:54
Band
Members:
James Bowmaker (Bass)
Barry Mitcheson (Drums)
Neil Elliott (Hammond Organ,
Keys)
Jonny Scott (Guitar).
Review:
Firstly
I must apologise to Kylver for the delay in writing this review. I've
had this album for a few months now but I got sidetracked with many
things in my life. My 40th birthday where I took a self
imposed exile from writing reviews and this is one the albums that I
sadly forgotten about during that time.
f
you're not familiar with Kylver's sound then be prepared for a lesson
in instrumental progressive metal masterclass as The Island is truly
a majestic album that merges Psych, Post-metal, Post-Rock, Doom and
Prog Rock that sounds fresh, exciting and original.
Kylver's
second album – The Island sees the band in more psychedelic and
progressive territory compared to their debut album. Opening track –
The Great Storm – merges Mastodon style progressive sludge style
riffs with a subtle 70s folk-rock sound. It's a very daring track to
open the album with as you cannot determine or identify the main
theme of Kylver's sound. It can be described as a progressive lucid
and surreal dream with moments of doom and gloom giving the song a
more sinister edge.
Second
track – Hy-Brasil – carries on the 70s influenced psychedelic
riffs though with a more modern post-metal delivery. The use of
organs from Neil is what elevates this album into the realm of
greatness. I'm not the biggest fan of organ music but Neil is making
me a firm believer with his expert playing. The other guys
concentrate on creating more heavy surreal sounds that have Pelican
fans sit up and take notice.
Third
track – Monolith - is perhaps closest to a true progressive DOOM
metal song you will ever likely to hear from Kylver. Though the song
takes it's time in bringing the heavy riffs to the party. As Kylver
expertly weave another magical 70s psychedelic sounding and almost
occult style song.
The
final two tracks – The Abyss and The Great Race are perhaps the two
standout tracks on the album as Kylver demonstrate their ability to
create haunting and exciting stories without the need for words.
Their music veers once again into so many different directions that
you will easily lose yourself into the heavy psychedelic madness of
it all. The Abyss is more slower paced but it offers a more far-out
experience than The Great Race.
The
Island is a very hard album to describe but one that will have
universal appeal to the Rock/Metal community. If you're a fan of
Pelican, Russian Circles, Tool and Mastodon then you need this album
now. The production is first rate as Kylver sound immense from the
start.
Two
albums in and Kylver have the potential to become one of the leading
Instrumental Rock/Metal bands the UK has to offer. With a couple of
more releases I can see Kylver making a lasting impression on the
international stage. The Island could the the first step to greater
things from Kylver. I can't wait to see where they go from here.
Words
by Steve Howe
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