Release
date: June 19th
2020.
Label: Pillars
of Creation Rkds.
Format: Cassette/CD/DD
SALO
– Tracklisting
1.Burden
of the Flesh 05:37
2.Segue-01
01:18
3.Hold
Me, Lucifer 06:08
4.Kukeri
09:08
5.Desolate
06:17
6.Segue-02
02:19
7.The
Man Machine [Kraftwerk cover] 06:03
8.Unicorn
Magic/Segue-03 10:11
9.Salo
05:10
Review
Salo
is the debut album by ultra-mysterious collective Circle Of Sighs.
The Press Release didn’t advise who makes up this great band and I
couldn’t find any information of any kind. That maybe a good thing
as this album works in it’s own heavy and mysterious way.
Circle
Of Sighs are a Psychedelic Doom Metal Band that makes for quite an
unsettling experience in places. The album can be interpreted in many
different ways with the band playing a vast array of different styles
of music influenced by works of David Bowie, Kraftwerk, Uformammut,
YOB and Neurosis. So expect a more emotional style of Doom Metal with
the band thriving on experimenting with many different themes and
sounds especially when they add an Electronic Synth to their overall
sound.
Salo
is quite a dark and experimental album which each song telling a
different story but all bound together by a highly experimental style
of Emotional based Doom Metal.Circle Of Sighs show a deep
love and respect for David Bowie and Kraftwerk on this album that it
becomes part of the albums DNA.
The
instrumental work is wonderfully eerie and offbeat which makes it
such a more interesting album to listen with Circle Of Sighs being
one of the most weirdest bands I’ve came across this year. The
vocals are surreal with the lyrics adding a more nightmarish feel to
them. The album even channels some 60s/70s Psychedelia on certain
parts of the album and I wasn’t even expecting that.
I
would love to do a song-by-song review for this album but I struggled
to even do that. So I’m taking this album as one epic song split
into 9 individual chapters which may test the patience of some
listeners. This is more of an Avant-Garde Doom Metal Album compared
to what other Doom Metal albums. Though, there is still some great
sounding progressive riffs held on the album.
Standout
songs include – “Burden Of The Flesh”, “Hold Me, Lucifer”,
“Kukeri” and “Unicorn Magic/Segue-03” though one of my
favourite songs has to be the band’s cover of Kraftwerk classic –
The Man Machine. This version is quite different and remarkably
similar to the original and it’s good to see Circle Of Sighs
putting their own spin on such an iconic song.
Psychedelic
Occult/Doom Rockers - High Priestess – are involved with this album
in a way. As Katie Gilchrest mixed and mastered the album. Katie does
a fantastic job making Circle Of Sigh’s music quite real and deeply
fantastical in places. Mariana Fiel (bassist of High Priestess)
provided photography for this album. Maybe I could ask Katie or
Mariana who are the musicians behind this mysterious entity. Though,
I won’t. As that will detract from the mystery behind this great
album.
Salo
is a wonderfully creative and emotionally thrilling album that has
many cool surprises if you’re willing to invest your time with the
album.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
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