Date Released: November 11th 2022. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl
Interspheral: Tracklisting
1.The Observer
2.Highest Low
3.Ascension
4.Moralterations
5.Left In The Lurch
6.Miscommunision
7.Descension
Members
Yannick Kristensen - Bass, Vocals (backing)
Nicolai Lomholt - Drums
Alexander Kolby - Guitars, vocals
Review
Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal mob Dirt Forge return with their new album Interspheral and the band have aligned themselves to ace underground label Majestic Mountain Records. The album sees the band play a more proggier style of music compared to their 2017 debut album. Heavy down-tuned psychedelic grooves are the main order of business with harsh growls/vocals being used to tell the band’s full creative vision. With a Post-Metal identity allowing Dirt Forge to adapt a more Psychedelic and Gloomier style of music that sees the band adapting sounds that have a slight YOB, CONAN, Mastodon and ISIS (The Band) to them.
Opening song The Observer is a sensational Post-Gloom And Doom offering that brings the harsh environments of the Sludge/Stoner Metal underground that becomes even heavier when the Psychedelic and Post-Rock elements collide for a more nuanced approach. There’s riffs to be found with Dirt Forge aiming for a more classic sounding Post-Metal feeling that allows the band to play extended progressive jams that feel bang on point. Add the intense free flowing vocals and Dirt Forge are off to a very highly confident start.
Second song Highest Low carries on the Post-Whatever and Gloom And Doom message of the album with Dirt Forge playing a more progressive WEEDIAN style of music that has a Post-Metallic and Hardcore edge to the song. Jagged and multi-layered sounds have been added that allows Dirt Forge to play a song that’s beautifully chaotic and heavy whilst retaining a sense of modern purpose with finely played distorted psychedelic grooves.
Third song Ascension opens with a gloomy ice cold Post-Rock/Post-Doom atmosphere that moves into areas of swirling Psychedelic Rock/Metal and intriguing sound effects that soon give way to Dirt Forge’s normal bombastic heavy stylish grooves. Once again moving between the Hardcore and Psychedelic areas of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal, the song has some fantastic instrumental work with a simple melodic structure but one that remains highly effective which Dirt Forge use to the best of their creative ability.
Fourth song Moralterations is an Ambient/Psych based instrumental number with Dirt Forge playing a song that has a deep John Carpenter feel with the gloomy synths and caustic voiceover adding a true DOOM based feeling to the album. Though the last part of the track has one of the best riffs on the album which took me by surprise. Quite suspenseful and left me wanting to hear more from this great track.
The final three tracks - Left In The Lurch, Miscommunision and Descension match the genuine excitement of the first half with Dirt Forge embracing their “DOOM METAL” creative identity with heavier and distorted slabs of intense Psych Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal.
Left In The Lurch has perhaps the best vocal arrangements on the album with first rate lyrics to match with the music being quite suspenseful in places. Maybe, not as fast-paced as the first half of the album but this is where Dirt Forge play the heaviest and intense sounds of the album which are all contained within the twelve minutes standout track of Miscommunsion.
Interspheral is a thought-provoking and brilliantly heavy album that packs an almighty punch which is backed up by first rate production values. The album does have a slightly solitary feel but you can feel the intensity of every riff bursting out at the seams that allows Dirt Forge to stake their claim at releasing one of the best albums of the year.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Sheltered Life PR for the promo.
Interspheral will be released on CD/DD/Cassette/Vinyl via Majestic Mountain Records from November 11th 2022.
Links:
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