Release
date: August
08th
2018. Label: Self
Released.
Format: DD/Vinyl
Science
Fiction
– Tracklisting
1.Stereo
Lords
2.Wasted
Minds
3.All
We Are Is All We Know
4.The
Human Condition
5.Awakened
6.Swarming
Lights Surround You
7.Withered
Hands
8.Suffer
Under God
Members
Stephen
Sheppert - Guitar, Vocs, Keys
Greg
Travasos - Drums
Review
I
remember hearing Radiant Knife's music in the past. As I recognised
some of the themes and progressive ideas they used on their last
album. Science Fiction follows the same progressive and heavy path as
their last album. Though this album is more experimental and perhaps
Doom/Sludge Metal orientated. The album doesn't shy away from
blending quieter sounds to a heavier style of Doom/Sludge Metal.
The
opening two songs of the album - Stereo Lords and Wasted Minds -
offer a lot of different sounds that need time to fully digest. There
is almost Torche-esque pop sensibility here but those vibes are very
few and far between. As Radiant Knife always excel when the harsher
and heavier riffs appear. There are only eight songs on the album
running past the forty five minute mark. However the album feels
longer and that's perhaps down to the more experimental themes and
layers of music contained on some of the songs. Ambient Music is a
big part of Radiant Knife's identity. As they like to experiment on
almost every aspect of the album. The strongest has to be the vocals.
The
vocals from Stephen
do take influence from Devin Townsend or they have the same emotional
feeling. Songs such as: All We Are Is All We Know, The Human
Condition, Awakened and Swimming Lights Surround sees a forward
thinking band with the lyrics being decidedly different compared to
different bands within the Doom/Sludge Metal spectrum. If you enjoy
the more complex lyrics and themes of Doom/Sludge Metal then Radiant
Knife are on another level.
Science
Fiction is one of the weirdest and psychedelic offerings I've heard
this year. Next to Boss Keloid, Radiant Knife is merging real
intelligence into the realm of Doom/Sludge Metal.
Truth
be told I did find this album very hard to review at times. As there
is perhaps too much going on when you first listen to the album. My
advice is to listen to this album multiple times before making a
final conclusion. As you could be missing out on understanding the
whole journey of Science Fiction.
Radiant
Knife manage to include elements of Grunge and Stoner Rock within the
album.
The
final two songs Withered Hands and Suffer
Under God
are the standout parts of the album with the band leading you on
another progressive and surreal journey that packs quite an emotional
punch.
Overall,
Science Fiction is a rich and deeply rewarding album that undoubtedly
demands your full attention.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Curtis at Dewar PR for the promo. Science Fiction will be
available to buy on DD from August 08th
2018 and Vinyl from August 15th
2018.
Links:
