Release
date: August
05th
2018. Label: Transcending
Obscurity Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
FRINGE
–
Tracklisting
Ostrakismos
Tale Blade
Reclaim
Elan
Offshoot
Furrow
Nether
Proteus Syndrome
Members
Kimmo
Koskinen - Vocals
Kalle
Nurmi - Drums
Arttu
Pulkkinen - Guitar
Eetu
Nurmi - Bass
Review
I
didn't know what to expect from Finnish Heavy Metallers - LURK - new
album, Fringe. I've only heard bits and pieces from this band and I
have never listened to a full record of theirs. Shame on me as Fringe
is epic as they come. I've listened to their previous albums now when
writing this review. Fringe is perhaps their most diverse and most
experimental offering to date. The album is a mixture of Sludge, Doom
and Post-Metal though LURK do add elements of pitch-black doom/death
sounds on certain songs on the album.
Opening
song - Ostrakisomos - starts off with a Mastodon/Neurosis style
progressive sound. Then elements of psych sounds and a twinge of Jazz
gives way to a bleaker atmosphere with the pitch-black vocal delivery
of lead vocalist Kimmo.
The riffs remain in the Doom/Post-Metal world however everything else
is pure progressive bleakness. LURK have a talent for creating highly
atmospheric sounds that will make your skin crawl. The music and
lyrics have a brooding feel and LURK approach their music with a
truly cool sounding apocalyptic feel.
Second
track - Tale Blade - has a more Blackened Rock and Roll approach with
the pitch-black vocals feeling they've came from a different band.
However the riffs are eerie familiar from past LURK albums. The slow
progressive guitar riffs slowly adds a more down-tempo doom and gloom
effect. However it's the intricate psychedelic post-rock/post-metal
interludes that offer a different side to LURK. The song can be very
cold but also offers brief moments of uplifting sludge grooves. Only
for a few seconds though.
The
rest of the album carries on the Sludge/Doom/Post-Metal hybrid sound
with elements of bleak vibes holding everything together. Songs such
as Reclaim, Elan, Furrow, Nether and Proteus Syndrome sees LURK do a
great job of keeping the mood loud, violent and fresh. Maybe Fringe
does take many cues from the legendary sound of Neurosis and Mastodon
but which band doesn't within the realm of Doom/Sludge Metal. At
least LURK add a more organic groove to their music and the lyrics
are simply sublime.
Fringe
is an album that has something to say and LURK accomplish this by
weaving highly intelligent progressive riffs and bleak lyrics to
match. My favourite song has to the final epic song Proteus Syndrome
as LURK crank up the tension with an endless stream of heavy
Doom/Death riffs and bleak growls to match. Fringe is a well-produced
and excellent sounding album from the start.
LURK
take a no holds barred approach to this album and it pays off
brilliantly well. LURK have delivered the goods with Fringe.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Transcending
Obscurity Records
for the promo. Fringe
will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Transcending Obscurity Recordds from August 05th
2018.
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