Release
date: August 25th
2017. Label: Hand/Eye Records. Format: CD/DD
Passages
– Tracklisting
Drift
Parallel
Passages
Shapeshifter
Breathe
Alluvion
Band
Members
Bobby Yagodich -
Guitar
Matt Jackson - Bass
Zach Nace - Guitar
Mark Bixler - Drums
Review
Passages is the second album from
Post-Rock/Post-Metal Instrumentalists - NIGHT. Night released their
last album back in 2015. That album was a very good album indeed.
Dark, dense, heavy and with enough progressive post-rock/post-metal
riffs to keep fans of Pelican and Russian Circles entertained for
days. This album sees Night in a more
robust and reflective mood.
Opening track - Drift - is a seventy
second burst of ambient/psych post-rock murky sounds with a
foreboding doom atmosphere.
Second track - Parallel - opens with
an operatic style sound that allows Night to create almost heavenly
sounds. Noises are slowly added before a familiar post-rock style
riff appears and the song moves into cinematic post-rock territory.
The interplay between the psychedelic noises and experimental
post-rock sounds offer an almost counter balance to each other. Quiet
for the most part and played at a fast pace. Elements of heavier
post-rock passages slowly make their intentions known. The
instrumental work has a semi-acoustic feel with the post-metallic
drums driving the rhythm along. It's quite an uplifting song that
channels the early days of Pelican and Russian Circles to perfection.
Third track - Passages - is an epic
ten minute song that finally add the Post-Metal element to the album
with more of the strange psychedelic and almost noise rock riffs
being played too loud levels. The drumming is very good on this song
but it can be under-produced at times. The song gradually builds to
a very loud experience before the band stop everything in their
tracks and opt for a mellow post-rock sound. Pounding drums save the
day as Night flirt between Post-Rock ambience and Post-Metal
dominance.
The second half of the album sees
Night carry on and progress with their hybrid Psychedelic
Post-Rock/Post-Metal journey with the final three songs -
Shapeshifter, Breathe and Alluvion - driving and finishing the album
to its natural conclusion. The best two tracks on the album are in my
opinion - Breathe and Passages. As they offer the best representation
in what Night are all about. Crushing guitar solos, intense drumming
and a keen eye for sound experimentation.
If you think these guys are another
Pelican or Russian Circles clone. Think again. As Night have created
a very bold and daring Post-Rock/Post-Metal album. The use of
psychedelic space rock noises is one of the albums main strengths. As
it holds everything together on Passages.
The production is mainly
superb throughout. Sure there's a few rough parts towards the start.
Once everything settles down, the album opens up to be an exciting
and daring take within the Instrumental Post-Rock/Post-Metal fields of music.
Words by Steve
Howe
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