Release
date: August
24th
2018. Label: Pelagic
Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Suspended
In Reflections
– Tracklisting
1.Gone
2.Through
a Window
3.Lying
in the Grass
4.Into
the Fall
5.Release
6.The
Warm Glow
Members
Justin
Maranga
Jason
Watkins
Daniel
Pouliot
Review
Ancestors
return after a six year absence with their new album Suspended In
Reflections. This version of Ancestors is very different to the band
that released their debut a decade ago. Back then, Ancestors were a
Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal band with a sound similar to bands such
as Sleep and Mastodon.
Though
with each passing record, Ancestors have changed and refined their
sound to something more progressive and heartfelt. Ancestors of today
follow the same path as YOB, Pink Floyd and Pallbearer. As the new
album is a moody and progressive doom metal album with flourishes of
Psychedelic Rock. The music can be extremely slow at times compared
to their previous albums.
Opening
song - Gone - is a very abstract and distant song with the band
playing heavy slow-paced psychedelic doom rock passages. The song has
an ambient and post rock sound holding everything together. The
vocals feel inspired by Pallbearer but Ancestors do enough work to be
judged on their own talents and convictions.
Second
track - Through A Window - carries on the psychedelic and heartfelt
vibe with ambient noises allowing Ancestors to extend their musical
vision to a more cinematic approach. The music once again is
deliberately slow-paced and the lyrics have a slight depressing feel.
The song has an almost delicate sixties sounding Pink Floyd vibe.
It's an interesting approach and one that I didn't expect.
Third
track - Living In The Grass - has an interesting style of digitized
vocals. It works for the most part but it would have been better if
the band included actual vocals all the way through the song. The
music is impressive as normal. The haunting piano track allows the
album to create a more soulful post-rock sound though Ancestors still
include elements of heavy doom based music.
The
final three songs on the album Into The Fall, Release and The Warm
Glow offer perhaps the most exciting parts and melodies contained
within the album. As the album drifts from one different sound with
each individual song. The highlight of these three songs has to be
The Warm Glow. An epic Pink Floyd musical style odyssey mixed
with the albums familiar Psychedelic Doom Metal sounds.
It's
a shame that the album is too short running under thirty five
minutes. Other than that minor complaint, Ancestors have released an
album to become genuinely excited about. Has the album been worth the
wait? Most definitely. Though It will take a few listens to become
accustomed to Ancestors new sound. Overall, Suspended In Reflections
is a highly engaging and superbly entertaining album that ranks as
one of their best albums to date.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Daniel
from CZ Promotions. Suspended In Reflections
will
be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via PelagicRecords from August 24th
2018.
