Release Date: 26th January 2024. Record Label: Church Road Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Chronicle II: Hypergenesis - Tracklisting
1.Daybreak
2.The Archivist
3.Dead Language
4.Into the Hazel Woods
5.March of the Göll
6.Hypergenesis
Members
Claire Simson - Guitar
El Reeve - Bass
Max Maxwell - Drums
Review
Chronicle II: Hypergenesis is the new album from Instrumental Prog/Doom/Stoner Rockers Mountain Caller which showcases a different sound from the band compared to their acclaimed debut album Chronicle I - The Truthseeker. This time Mountain Caller adapted a more Progressive based Post-Rock flavour to their music which sees the band play heavy instrumental sounds that draws them closer to bands such as Pallbearer, King Buffalo, Elder, Russian Circles and Pelican.
The record is quite dominated by a Psychedelic Doom sound which is shown very early on within the excellent opening tracks of Daybreak and The Activist. Mountain Caller plays an emotional style of melodic grooves with flashes of Ambient Post-Rock delivery within the more tender movements of the songs. Though, the real aggressive power comes from the heavier Post-Doom and Post-Stoner sounds which become quite Progressive with lush cinematic sounds that delves further into Mountain Caller’s creative psyche.
The whole flow and feeling of the album is built upon cinematic soundscapes which drifts with a natural warm glow that is shown primarily on The Activist before Mountain Caller transcends into a world of HEAVY RHYTHMS and sludgy vibes which carries upon to the rest of the album on other standout tracks such as Dead Language, Into The Hazel Woods and Hypergenesis. There will be times on this album where the listener will easily lose themselves within the music and fully understand the creative journey that Mountain Caller have delivered with this release.
Mountain Caller does include vocals within this album on the stunning third track Dead Language which opts for a slight Doomgaze/Shoegaze energy compared to the other songs on the album. Bassist El Reeve’s delicate vocals are more Alt Rock sounding with twinges of Gothic Rock but El puts in a majestic performance. I wonder if Mountain Caller will release an album full of vocals. As they can easily pull this off with ease and Dead Language is great proof of this.
Chronicle II: Hypergenesis is a beautiful, exciting and brilliantly original release which showcases a different style of music from Mountain Caller whilst keeping familiar themes and ideas from their previous releases. The production values are first rate that allows Mountain Caller to prove time and time again what wonderfully creative and technically fantastic musicians they really are.
Mountain Caller are perhaps one of the most naturally gifted storytellers that I’ve come across within the UK Doom/Stoner Metal scene and I wouldn’t be surprised they will be playing the more prestigious festival slots and even bigger headline shows thanks to this album alone.
Chronicle II: Hypergenesis has the potential to be one of the year’s must have and standout albums. No question.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Church Road Records for the promo.
Chronicle II: Hypergenesis will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Church Road Records on January 26th 2024.
Links
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