Earth: Angels Of Darkness Demons Of Light

Almost a year ago to the day I reviewed a compilation of EP's by Earth, which shall we say less than ticked the boxes for me, with their uninventive Drone being just oh so tiresome and endlessly endless. So here we are a year down the line and Earth are back with a slightly different take on their slooow and sloooower atmospherics. This time an almost completely un-Metallic approach which highlights the cello playing of Lori Goldston to the extent that it really is the centre piece of the five long tracks on the wonderfully titled Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light. The cello work is flawless, but in the dark, depressing, almost funeral like setting in which Earth have placed it, the results are dank and as equally hard going as the hard edged attack this band have been previously known for.

All five of the songs on this album are of a similar snail's pace nature, with crawling drums and cymbals punctuating meandering, almost listless guitar lines which always allow the cello to dominate in a way that is undoubtedly beautiful at times, but thoroughly hard going for an ardent Metal-head at others. Not only are the songs of far too similar pace, but actually differentiating between them is an undoubted a challenge as well. None of that takes away from the fact that Earth are actually impressive musicians and the amount of time and effort that must go in to making this style of music come together in the admittedly seamless manner with which this band do, can't be underestimated. It is just a shame that Earth have dedicated themselves to a style that so few will want to spend the time unravelling.

There's no denying that Earth have already built a dedicated following of fans who will be willing to sit and absorb every second of this release with a depressed abandon. The rest of us will have hit the skip button well before then.

Track Listing
1. Sigil Of Brass
2. His Teeth Did Brightly Shine
3. Waltz (A Multiplicity Of Doors)
4. The Corascene Dog
5. The Rakehell

Added: February 1st 2012
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Southern Lord Records
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Language: english

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