Release
date: April 20th
2019. Label: Self
Released.
Format: DD
Cirrus
– Tracklisting
1.Basic
Operation 05:08
2.Lighthouse
At The End of Time 04:42
3.Soft
Nothing 06:00
4.Don't
Blink 04:43
5.Wolves
04:05
6.Catena
04:12
7.Monsters
and the men who made them 07:00
8.Agelast
05:00
9.Godcomplex
05:06
Members
Gerben,
Tommy, Vincent, Rolf
Review
Cirrus
is the debut album by Instrumental Post-Metallers Mt.Echo and the
band make a lasting impression with their own style of
Post-Rock/Post-Metal. As the band add flourishes of Psychedelic Rock
and Noise Rock which is quite uncommon within the Post-Metal world.
The band feel influenced by bands such as Neurosis, Pelican and
Russian Circles which is understandable coming from the Post-Metal
world.
Opening
song – Basic Operation – is a Progressive Post-Rock/Post-Metal
offering with the band adding a cool Noise Rock flavour on the later
stages of the song. The song starts really slow and mellow before
changing direction on the second half when the heavier and
progressive sludge metal riffs appear. Mt. Echo become a more
threatening and menacing presence as the song builds to an exciting
climax.
Second
song – Lighthouse At The End Of Time – is a thumping Post-Metal
song where Mt. Echo start to create the albums heaviest riffs that
become standard for the rest of the album. This is a complex and
heavy offering with different layers of music starting to appear such
as Ambient Doom and Psychedelic Rock. The gloomy atmospherics is a
cool touch and reminds of me PELICAN in certain areas.
Third
song – Soft Nothing – is the second longest song on the album and
the band adapt a more Post-Rock persona for the first few opening
moments of the song. The slowly played riffs soon give away to a more
thunderous style of Post-Metal but it’s still good to hear the
Post-Rock and Post-Metal vibes working together instead of working
against each other. This is one of the most satisfying and
emotionally complex driven songs held on the album.
Fourth
song – Don’t Blink – opens with a Psychedelic/Post-Rock
interlude with an Ambient Post-Doom sound allowing Mt. Echo to
experiment with their sound. This is an exciting song to listen to as
it feels quite thrilling and cinematic in places. The song does take
time to fully get going but I did enjoy the more adventurous side of
it all. The progressive and ambient styles soon settle down into a
more complex and confident rhythm.
The
first 4 songs should give you a taste on what to expect for the
remainder of the album. Though Mt. Echo do play heavier and complex
music on the second half of the album especially on songs such as
Wolves, Catena, Monsters And The Men Who Made Them and Godcomplex.
Mt. Echo deserve credit for trying to do something different with the
standard Post-Rock/Post-Metal sound. The album does lag in certain
places but that doesn’t stop Mt. Echo from changing style and
tactics in delivering a thrilling and well-rounded Post-Metal
cinematic experience.
Cirrus
is superbly produced and Mt. Echo sound exciting and wonderful from
start to finish. If you’re looking for a challenging and different
sounding Post-Rock/Post-Metal album then Mt. Echo are the band for
you.
This
is a stunning and genuinely exciting album that leaves you wanting
more.
Words
by Steve Howe