Release Date: April 07th 2023. Record Label: Call And Response Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl
Metamorphose: Tracklisting
1.After The Flood 07:00
2.Black Rain 04:04
3.Epsilon 04:02
4.Sinking 07:24
5.Cosmos 04:46
6.Nightfall 07:28
7.Red 04:27
8.Mermaid 04:57
Members
Ryotaro: vocals, heavy guitars, noise
Haruka: vocals, fuzz guitars
Ryo7: drums
Review
Japanese Doom/Stoner Rockers Looprider new album Metamorphose is one that seems the highly talented trio finally come into their own creative sound and vision. Their earlier releases may have drawn comparisons to the legendary BORIS but I always felt they put their own stamp of authority on their last few releases especially on UMI, Ouroboros and MOON. However, Looprider have delivered their best release to date. As this album draws sounds from the areas of Stoner Rock, Fuzz, Noise Rock, Doom Rock, Psychedelic Rock and Shoegaze that builds upto a haunting and emotionally charged ride.
Looprider has never delivered the same album twice. Each album always sounds different to each other. The band perhaps draw slight influences from the likes of BORIS (yet again) and Deftones when the band slows the mood right down for a slowly paced atmospheric charge which you’ll witness on the opening track After The Flood.
The song is a slightly distorted Doom/Stoner Metal take with a classic Alternative Metal approach. The music is beautifully slow and emotionally charged when Looprider brings a down-tuned and distorted atmosphere to the album. The vocals mostly from Ryotaro have a slight “Post-Rock” or “Post-Doom” feeling. The song truly comes alive when the band brings a more riff-centric style that focuses solely on melodic composition and extended proggy jams.
Second song Black Rain is a more frenzied and action-packed affair where Looprider adds a Grunge essence which builds upto a classic mix of Noise, Doom and Stoner movements. The track has some killer hooks and sublime vocals that draws the listener even further into Looprider’s world.
Third song Epsilon has a similar style or drive as the previous track but with emotionally charged vocals. I forgot to mention the vocals are mostly sung in Japanese but I still managed to retain an emotional connection to what was being sung even if I don’t understand what the lyrics are about. The music here is more atmospheric and with a twinge of classic hard rock that allows Looprider to play some classic guitar solos along the way.
Fourth song Sinking allows the vocals to be more restrained and self assured. The song can even be classed as “Romantic” in places with Looprider playing a “less is more” style of music that is mostly Post-Rock for the first half of the track. The second half is a different story when Looprider unleashes “HELL ON EARTH” with heavy amounts of Droned Out Aggression which becomes more Doom/Stoner Metal based. As the AMPLIFIER RIFF WORSHIP style fully comes into play for one of the standout tracks on the album.
Looprider continues with the experimental approach on the second half of the album with more sonic manipulation that opens the way for a more daring style of Shoegaze and Grunge on tracks such as Nightfall and Red.
Fifth track Cosmos deserves a special mention as it’s more of an emotionally charged Romantic Ballad that relies on Psych Rock and Post-Rock sounds with a warm solitary vibe that allows Haruka’s delicate vocals to shine before Looprider play an aggressive style of Droned Out Stoner Rock for one of the heaviest parts of the album.
The final track Mermaid is another standout track which is perhaps more of a ballad despite the Distorted mix of Doom and Stoner Metal pretence that Looprider uses for this track. This is perhaps the best way to end the album with. The use of dramatic Droned Out textures leave you wanting to hear more and it’s great to see Looprider changing different styles of music even on the final track.
Metamorphose is wonderfully surreal but one that’s warm and deeply engaging from start to finish. The album also benefits from sublime production values that allows this to be one of the heaviest and intense albums Looprider have released to date.
This is perhaps another Album Of The Year contender for me personally. As I will be listening to this album for a long time to come before the year is out.
Words by Steve Howe
Metamorphose is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Call And Response Records.
Links
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