Saturday 12 May 2018

Talbot - Magnetism (Album Review)


Release date: March 27th 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Magnetism – Tracklisting

1.Feral 09:17
2.Magnetism 07:20
3.Vanhalla 05:12
4.Icicle 05:44
5.Infra 07:20
6.Adrift 02:20
7.Blown 04:48
Members

Magnus Andre - bass guitar, synths, vocals
Eugene Mikhaylov - drums & vocals

Review

Estonian Sludge/Stoner/Doom Rockers - Talbot - return with their new album Magnetism and it's a different sounding album compared to their previous releases. Magnetism has a more varied and rich sound with Talbot expressing a more "industrial" style of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal. Don't worry as Talbot still remain blissfully heavy.

The familiar psychedelic interludes that Talbot were known for make a welcome appearance on the opening song - Feral. The pounding bass lines adds a subtle Doom vibe and the clean vocals are joined by some death based growls. Though Talbot keeps the mood flowing superbly well. The heavy sonic sounds is what always impressed me most about Talbot's music. As they created a gloomy Post-Metal feel with elements of Alternative Metal and Stoner Metal for an unsettling and uncompromising sound. Magnetism is very different to EOS and Scaled. As Talbot blend heavy psychedelic sounds with eighties alternative rock/electronic synths and the results are impressive.

Second track - Magnetism carries on the psychedelic post-whatever sound that Talbot have successfully created for a number of years now. The song is perhaps the most experimental that Talbot have created here. Though it also ranks as one of the best tracks on the album. As Talbot manage to combine a high energy eighties synth sounding pop style musical odyssey but with an industrial sludge/post-metal feel.

Talbot continues with this highly experimental sound for the remainder of the album with songs such as: Vanhalla, Icicle, Infra and Blown being the other standout songs on the album. Magnetism is perhaps my favourite album that Talbot has released so far. Mainly down to the many different styles of music that Talbot have included here. This all adds up to a genuinely exciting style of Doom/Sludge/Post-Metal that only Talbot could create. Magnetism contains excellent sounding production values with the whole album sounding beautifully heavy from the start.

The vocals have a different perspective from what you would normally hear from the Doom/Sludge Metal scene. However there aren't many bands around like Talbot and that is a very good thing. As Talbot have their own sound and identity within the scene.

Overall, Magnetism is a gloriously heavy and exciting album that has a lot to say and is worth many repeated listens. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe