Release
date: April
05th
2019.
Label: Ripple
Music.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
The
Horologist
– Tracklisting
1.Necronograph
2.Trenches
of Bahb-Elon
3.Inner
Sanctum, Outer Space
4.Hydrahead
04:55
5.The
Last Electric Dream
6.The
Floating Museum
7.Work
Song
8.Lines
in the Dark
Members
Danne
Palm, bass & vox
Christoffer
Norén, guitar & vox
Johan
Küchler, drums & vox
Review
The
Horologist is the second album from Swedish Progressive Doomsters –
Cities Of Mars and there first album for Ripple Music after moving
away from Argonauta Records. This album is very similar to their
debut album Temporal Rifts for the early stages of the album.
However, Cities Of Mars actually go under a “mini” transformation
for the second half of the album though more about that later.
The
album opens with Necronograph and it’s a heavy progressive doomed
out affair with elements of Mastodon and CONAN psychedelic sounds.
The vocals are excellent and perhaps even a step up from their debut
album. The song moves from Doom/Stoner Metal vibes to heavier
atmospheric sludge towards the end of the song. This allows the album
to have a mature Post-Rock/Post-Metal sound.
Second
song – Trenches Of Bah-Belon – captures the whole new sound that
Cities Of Mars are striving to aim for with slow-paced Psychedelic
Sludge/Post-Metal grooves. The lyrics and vocals can be quite cold at
times but that matches the whole gloomy outlook the band are aiming
for. The music can be very trippy and surreal at times. However, it’s
a well-balanced approach with Cities Of Mars impressing more so than
their debut album.
Third
song – Inner Sanctum Outer Space - carries on the heavy Space
Rock/Trippy theme that’s been part of Cities Of Mars DNA since
their debut EP- Celestial Princess. The music is slow, direct and
heavy with a purpose. The band start adding new sounds to this song
which we haven’t heard from them before. So expect a more
experimental approach on this song. The song still has its fair share
of Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal riffs that leave you wanting more.
Fourth
song – Hydrahead – is a more Sludge/Post-Metal driven song with
Cities Of Mars opting for a more raw sound compared to other songs on
the album. The psychedelic sounds are some of the strongest parts
held on the album with the band adding a more straightforward
narrative as well. The vocals are good for the most part of the song.
Though sometimes they’re drowned out by the constantly heavy
progressive riffs but’s part of the overall idea of the song.
The
second half of the album is where Cities Of Mars start to experiment
with their overall sound more by adding wonderful sounding
psychedelic noises and playing a heavier style of music especially on
songs such as: The Last Electric Dream, The Floating Museum and Lines
In The Dark. I admire Cities Of Mars decision to experiment with
their sound as it’s constantly thrilling and engaging to listen to.
I
will admit that I felt slightly disappointed by this album when I
first listened to it. As I thought the band were trying too hard and
including different ideas that wouldn’t work especially compared to
their excellent debut album. However, the album made slowly made a
lasting impression with me and in perhaps the second half of the
album most of all. As it sounds so different for what Cities Of Mars
are known for. The vocals may not be as strong but the music remains
a thrilling experience to listen to.
The
Horologist is a welcome addition to Cities Of Mars already impressive
discography and leaves you wanting more. The production is excellent
and is perhaps the best Cities Of Mars have sounded yet. This album
is very different to Temporal Rifts but one that will speak volumes
to their established fan-base and perhaps allow Cities Of Mars to
enhance their reputation further within the global Doom/Sludge/Stoner
Metal scene
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. The Horologist will be
available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music from April 5th
2019.