Release
date: July
24th
2020.
Label: Self
Released.
Format: Cassette/CD/DD
Premonition
– Tracklisting
1.A
Pale Wanderer
2.Sepulchre
3.Passage
4.Trost
5.Hiraeth
6.Premonition
7.Lion's
Blood
Members
Peter
Sacco: Guitars/vox
Brenden
Gunn: Bass
Chris
Doyle: Drums
Review
Premonition
is the debut full length album from Canadian Progressive
Sludge/Stoner Metallers – EMPRESS – who released their debut EP
Reminiscence back in 2018. The band sadly lost bassist Brenden Gunn
last year and this album is a fitting tribute to Brenden’s legacy
not only for the band but also Brenden’s family and friends.
The
album is a more grown-up offering compared to their debut album as
they deal with some deeply haunting and emotional themes on the album
and it’s quite a dark, rich and varied journey that will surprise
people in many ways. The band are perhaps more musically aligned to
the earlier sounds of ELDER, Mastodon and Baroness though still
standing tall on their own musical endeavours.
Opening
song – A Pale Wanderer – offers eight minutes of Post-Doom
grooves that branch out into different elements of Sludge Metal,
Post-Metal, Psychedelic Rock and Stoner Metal with a YOB-esque
influence running deep within the lyrical content. The vocals are
some of the best I’ve heard this year with Peter showing a sense of
maturity beyond his years with harsh growls, clean vocals and almost
ethereal chants that show you EMPRESS are quite a force to be
reckoned with. Even so early on with the opening song.
Second
song – Sepulchre – was released as single earlier this year and I
was lucky enough to premiere the song and showed me how different
EMPRESS had become from their acclaimed debut EP. This song is more
of a Hard-Edged Progressive Stoner Rock/Metal song with the band
showing they know how to write a kick-ass song packed full of violent
energy that oozes confidence. The song lasts under 5 minutes but
EMPRESS show a real flair of playing a more standard Sludge/Stoner
Metal song.
Third
song – Passage – is another stylistic change with the band
playing a more laid-back style of music with lush psychedelic grooves
directing the action before the song changes into a more threatening
style of “DOOM” based atmosphere. The progressive guitars are
quite familiar in places and I’m reminded of TORCHE but when the
harsh vocals kick-in, EMPRESS become EMPRESS again for some epic
riffs being played for good measure.
There
are 7 songs on offer here and I don’t want to spoil the hidden
surprises and emotional depths that EMPRESS have created for the 2nd
half of the album and that’s is where perhaps the album truly
shines and stands out from the Post-Metal/Sludge/Stoner Metal crowd.
As EMPRESS focus more on lyrical content and allowing the whole flow
of the album to build up at a natural pace. There are still fantastic
heavy riffs spliced throughout the album but it’s the lyrics and
vocals that make this album ultimately work.
The
standout songs from the 2nd half of the album have to be:
Hiraeth, Premonition and Lion’s Blood – as this is where
everything comes together and pays off big time for the band.
Everything sounds fresh and original which is also helped by
top-notch production the album holds from start to finish.
There
were a few moments on this album that connected with myself
emotionally and I was thinking about close friends and family members
that I’ve lost over the last few years. So that was an unexpected
thing for myself to go through whilst listening to this album.
Premonition
is a deeply satisfying and superbly made album that allows it to be
an Album Of The Year contender for myself personally and I wouldn’t
be surprised if this happens elsewhere for other folks as well.
Do
yourself a favour and check this epic and brilliant album out when
you get the chance.
You
won’t be sorry...
Words
by Steve Howe
Premonition will be available
to buy on Cassette/CD/DD from July 24th 2020
Links:
