Release Date: November 13th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD
Sankalpa - Tracklist
1.Amber Waves
2.Crystal Oscillation
3.Disciple of the Astral Plane
4.Down on the River Bank
5.Sankalpa
6.Consciousness as the Foundation of Reality
7.Bewailer
8.Through the Heliopause
9.Bones
10.On the Mend
Members
Stephen Sheppert (guitars, synth, vocals)
Greg Travasos (drums)
Review
Progressive Sludge Metallers Radiant Knife release their latest album Sankalpa which is a Sanskrit meaning a heartfelt resolve, intention, or solemn vow. This is the perfect way to describe the album as Radiant Knife have undertaken a slight reinvention of themselves with a more diverse style of melody appearing on this album compared to 2023’s Pressure. This record still has the riffs and progressive delivery that Pressure achieved but there’s a more diverse style of Prog Rock, Heavy Psych, Post-Metal and Sludge Metal themes.
Radiant Knife are even tapping into areas of Shoegaze and Space Rock where you could easily see Radiant Knife being compared to the likes of HUM, ELDER and KING BUFFALO on certain sections of the record. However, that doesn’t stop Radiant Knife creating and exploring subtle Progressive Metal surroundings that’s made their music such a highlight over the years with pulsating Sludge Metal dynamics that have a certain Mastodon based flavour to them.
The vocals from Stephen Sheppert are excellent with a passionate delivery that fully taps into that ever-growing Post-Stoner / Heavy Psychedelic landscape. The whole thing never feels out of place with Radiant Knife allowing their Louisiana musical roots to fully appear and inject some world-weary DOOM & GLOOM soundscapes into the mix.
Though for the most part Sankalpa is a euphoric and uplifting journey that’s has an epic Ambient Post-Rock element allowing Radiant Knife to explore multiple levels of Cosmic heaviness on tracks such as Amber Waves, Crystal Oscillation, Disciple Of The Astral Plane and Sankalpa being the standout tracks of the first half of the record.
Radiant Knife comfortably and passionately navigate themselves around different styles of Post-Metal, Sludge Rock and Stoner Metal that can be superbly modern but also throws a few curveballs along the way when a sudden influx of Experimental Heavy Rock appears. Nothing drastic changes but you’ll be surprised at how the band explores an avant-garde style of music before settling for a grounded modern sound.
There’s a lot of different musical tempos and complex rhythms that form throughout the album with Radiant Knife always keeping the listener on the edge of their seat especially on tracks Disciple Of The Astral Plane, Down By The River Bank, Sankalpa, Consciousness as the Foundation of Reality and On The Mend.
The second half of the record does see a thuggish and aggressive delivery which is perhaps down to their Louisiana roots once more keeping things fully alive and superbly inventive in their own right. Radiant Knife perform with an intense mathematical quality to their music with Greg Travasos perhaps putting in one of the best drumming performances I’ve heard this year. Greg’s drumming is absolutely unreal at times which is brilliantly offset by Stephen Sheppert’s work on guitar and synth duties.
Sankalpa is an absolutely first rate album with Radiant Knife delivering their best work to date. This is a masterclass of how modern day HEAVY ROCK should truly be delivered.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Earsplit PR for the promo.
Sankalpa is available to buy now on digital download.
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
