Monday 13 August 2018

Spirit Division - Forgotten Planet (Album Review)


Release date: August 31st 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Forgotten Planet – Tracklisting

1.Forgotten Planet
2.Nothing To Be Missed
3.River Rising
4.The Light That Shines (When All Must Die)
5.Seeking The Crow Witch
6.Behemoth
7.Half-Hearted
8.Solitude
9.King Of Scars

Members

Chris Latta: Bass/Vocals
Jace Epple: Drums
Andy Bowerman: Guitars/Vocals

Review

Progression is the key for Doom Metallers - Spirit Division - who return after a two year absence with their epic new album - Forgotten Planet. Spirit Division have decided to give their music an almost trippy makeover as the album is way more psychedelic compared to previous albums. The album is full of trippy moments that leave you wondering what has happened to the Spirit Division from previous albums.

I'm not complaining as I feel Spirit Division have not only progressed as musicians but also songwriters as well. The lyrical content is perhaps the band's most mature offering to date. Spirit Division still play their familiar vintage Doom Metal sounds but the music is just way more out there.

Opening track - Forgotten Planet - is an instrumental psychedelic doom and spaced out offering with the band letting the listener getting used to their new sound.

Second song - Nothing To Be Missed - offers fans the best of both worlds. With Spirit Division playing their classic old-school Doom/Stoner Metal sound but with the focus on the more psychedelic element they've added to this album. Spirit Division is really hard to categorize on this album as they start to add different strands of Classic Heavy Metal sounds. The vocals are top-notch from both Chris and Andy.

The next few tracks: River Rising, The Light That Shines (When All Must Die) and Seeking The Crow Witch, offer perhaps some of the best moments on the album. With the music and vocals being a cut above the rest. The switching from different musical genres will leave you wanting more. The swirling psychedelic and spaced out moments immersed with the gloomy atmosphere shouldn't really work but Spirit Division show real vision and talent in keep everything flowing naturally.

The production on Forgotten Planet is quite adventurous in places. As the overall feel of the album can be quite vintage in parts and super modern in other parts of the album. The vocals on the album have a slightly creepy feel and that keeps with the tone of the entire album.

The second half of the album sees the band more settled with their new musical surroundings with songs such as Behemoth, Solitude and King Of Scars being the heaviest and meanest held on the entire album. Forgotten Planet is a thrilling and highly original sounding album that will have long-time fans extremely happy and even help gain a wider recognition.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Leanne at Mettle Media PR for the promo. Forgotten Planet will be available to buy on CD/DD via from August 31st 2018.

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