Release Date: July 28th 2023. Record Label: Trepanation Records. Formats: CD/DD/Cassette
MAIRU: Tracklisting
1. Torch Bearer [9:03]
2. Perihelion [6:26]
3. Inter Alia [1:02]
4. Wild Darkened Eyes [5:29]
5. The Scattering Dust [8:12]
6. Per Alia [1:38]
7. Atar [6:39]
8. Rite Of Embers [10:27]
Members
Alan Caulton - Guitar, piano and vocals
Ben Davis - Drums and synths
Dan Hunt - Bass and vocals
Ant Hurlock - Guitar and vocals
Review:
Sol Cultus is the debut album from UK Sludge/Post-Metallers MAIRU and it sees the band take creative themes used by bands such as Cult Of Luna, BOSSK, TOOL, Deftones, The Ocean and ISIS though still having that ice cold steely atmosphere that UK Post-Metal bands use within their music. MAIRU are perhaps way more Psychedelic with their music being more COSMIC based with the free-flowing Ambient Post-Rock attitudes that MAIRU ultimately conveys.
Opening song Torch Bearer drifts from Instrumental Post-Metal passages to ice-cold Sludge Metal grooves with harsh vocals to match. The Ambient and Sonic progressive moments allow MAIRU to deliver a more extreme vocal delivery for this song though they’re quite easy to follow and understand. The subtle switching from Post-Rock to Atmospheric Sludge is intense with the band operating with a mid-2000’s Post-Metal edge that slowly builds into uplifting Ambient instrumental passages before returning to the heavier Doomed Out attitude that allows the band to rival UK Sludge/Post-Metallers Hundred Year Old Man in the heavy volume department
Second song Perihelion is a heavier instrumental style of Post-Metal that PELICAN are known for but with a twinge of Prog Metal that allows MAIRU to hold their own against the legendary bands of the scene. The subtle use of Post-Rock flavours and Ambient Metal creates a stunning QUIET vs LOUD aesthetic where the music is constantly transforming into something far greater especially when the HEAVY PROGRESSIVE sounds appear. The clever use of Psychedelic textures is what makes this song truly standout and perhaps become one of the standout tracks on the album with many anthemic sounds to lose yourself in.
Third song Inter Alia is a quietly played and subdued Ambient/Piano number that sadly doesn’t offer much to the album but it’s a superbly played little number to show a different side to MAIRU.
Fourth song Wild Darkened Eyes sees MAIRU dwell in the same creative theatre that Cult Of Luna and The Ocean Collective made their names with. The vocals are more violent and offer a bleak desolate attitude for the atmospheric sludgy guitars becoming more DOOM & GLOOM along the way. MAIRU still add moments of slowly played Post-Rock before returning with a buoyant distorted style of Psychedelic Sludge Metal with flashes of TOOL-esque sounds heard on the later stages of the album.
Fifth song The Scattering Dust continues with the bleak and cinematic based Post-Rock soundscapes that evolves into a majestic style of Post-Doom/Atmospheric Sludge extended guitars. The music has a stunning “BATTLING AGAINST THE ELEMENTS” approach throughout with the band playing some of the most uplifting sounds on the album. The vocals are used sparingly with that subtle style of “instrumental” delivery being used for the majority of the album. MAIRU do switch things around for a more Progressive feel to this song but it allows the band to play some of the heaviest moments of the album.
The final three songs Per Alia, Atar and Rite Of Embers sees MAIRU venture further into the theatre of Post-Metal with the band playing a more direct style of music with trippy moments of aggressive atmospheric energy on tracks such as Atar and Rites Of Ember. The music is quite complex with a harsh instrumental backdrop allowing the band to deliver their own uncompromising style of Atmospheric Sludge Metal that demands your undivided attention.
Sol Cultus is an epic release from MAIRU and could allow the band to become one of the most important bands (along with Hundred Year Old Man) within the UK Sludge/Post-Metal scene in the years to come.
Sol Cultus remains a spellbinding, beautifully played and wonderfully complex album that MAIRU deserves all the plaudits hopefully coming their way.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Frenchie PR for the promo.
Sol Cultus is available to buy on CD/DD/Cassette now from Trepanation Recordings.
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