Thursday 14 September 2017

Spirit Adrift - Curse Of Conception (Album Review)


Release date: October 06th 2017. Label: 20 Buck Spin Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Curse Of Conception – Tracklisting

1.Earthbound
2.Curse of Conception
3.To Fly On Broken Wings
4.Starless Age (Enshrined)
5.Graveside Invocation
6.Spectral Savior
7.Wakien
8.Onward, Inward

Members

Nate Garrett / Jeff Owens / Chase Mason / Marcus Bryant

Review

Greetings all,

I received the ultimate pleasure of checking out the second album, Curse of Conception from Phoenix based classic metal crusaders, Spirit Adrift. Spirit Adrift started as a one man metal project and they released one of the best records of last year, Chained to Oblivion. On the new record the band has expanded in to a full line up. There are so many elements of the different kinds of metal in almost every track. Priest/Maiden double leads, some pre-Black album Metallica, and a heaping helping of good ol’ Doom metal. Spirit Adrift occupies some of the same terrain as Mastodon, Khemmis and Pallbearer.

The songs on Curse of Conception are played beautifully. I am not a huge fan of technical metal (perhaps because I am a horrible musician) as it tends to be a bit tedious and boring, the songs seem to suffer in an attempt to fill as many notes and riffs as possible. Although Spirit Adrift is technically brilliant ,the songs are absolutely amazing. They are crafted and performed perfectly. The record has seven songs that will satisfy any metal head, there is not a dull moment to be found.

The epic Earthbound kicks the record off. It has a skillful acoustic intro that gives way to spme slow doomy riffage. The band continues with the title track, Curse of Conception. It has a classic doom sound while bringing the heavy in the bands own original style. To Fly on Broken Wings is immensely melodic and hits you with some NWOBHM double lead guitar.

Starless Age (Enshrined) stays with the classic doom tempo, hits you with the melody before speeding up with some killer solos. Graveside Invocation kicks in with a more uptempo feel before closing out with slower heavier feel. Although all the songs are great, Spectral Savior is by far my favorite. The track unleashed a rhythmic stomp that I absolutely dare you not to headbang along to. Wakien is a brief instrumental that spends the first half as a lilting acoustic track before it hits you with the monster finish. The album closes with Onward/Inward. This is an epic closing track that showcases all of the bands talent. A fitting end to an amazing record.

Curse of Conception is most likely the best Doom Metal album of the year. I honestly cannot say enough good things about this album and Spirit Adrift. If you dig or don’t dig Pallbearer (I happen to dig them, but I know some were less than thrilled with this year’s Heartless) this is a record you will want to track down.

- Todd S

Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey


Curse Of Conception will be released to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via 20-Buck Spin from October 06th 2017.

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