Nordic Giants: A Seance Of Dark Delusions

As we've moved deeper into the noughties it appears that the band formation of choice is no longer two guitars, drums, bass and singer, or indeed the traditional power trio. Instead where it's at is the duo; two musicians sparking coldly and spartanly off one another to create something primitive and, above all else, energetic. Falling neatly into and a million miles from this template are the UK's Nordic Giants, a twinning of Jake Reid and Cate Ferris who have released a collection of EPs and built up an impressive, theatric, live reputation before delivering their debut album, A Seance Of Dark Delusions.

The day before I settled down to review this album, after living with its enigmatic sounds for a few weeks, I played it to a knowledgeable friend who, not even two tracks in, proclaimed Kscope Records should sign this lot immediately....they already have! And in itself that should prepare those already acquainted with the acts that label eagerly snaps up for the mood and atmospheres you can find here. For what Nordic Giants specialise in is soundscapes working within a "song" format, with spoken word sections, long instrumental passages and the odd guest vocal slot. Synth walls build and cascade as beats roam from gentle accompaniment to all out clamours. It's heady stuff and in the world of micro-genres, some would call post-rock meets post-prog, if that paints a picture for you? Mogwai could be seen as a touching point and yet if you took the tribal drums and sing along choruses away from Bastille, you'd find these acts quite strongly related. The overall feel is cinematic in scope, huge, wide strokes of melodious noise played against minuscule intricacies in arrangement and execution, telling their own stories in magnificent technicolor and primitive black and white. It's these contrasts which prove such a strength, the ability of "Future Dark" to be big bold and beautiful, before folding in on itself to become small succinct and secretive, proving unforgettable. Both approaches catch the imagination in different ways, causing you often to lean into the music to ensure you don't miss a moment of what is created, before forcing you to recoil as a swathe of sound rolls over you. Early tracks, "Elysian Skies" and "Evolve Or Perish" contain captivating spoken word which fit those titles well and set the scene for the album quite magnificently, whilst also preparing the way for the more immediately engaging vocals from Beth Cannon and Freya to lead "Rapture" and "Give Flight To The Imagination" respectively, in a different directions altogether.

Unashamedly Nordic Giants admit to focusing as much on their on stage performances as they do their recorded music and if I was to pick one fault with this debut, then it would be that there are occasions where you feel that you're only experiencing half the story. Something which may well be negated by the films, visuals, masks and theatrics the pair employ on stage – a factor hinted at through the splendid packaging this album comes in and the DVD that arrives with the deluxe version, where a short documentary features alongside a live performance and videos.

I'm not sure how often I'll be cajoled into the dystopian world of Nordic Giants and yet on those occasions I have no fear in reporting that A Seance Of Dark Delusions will hit spots that few albums can reach. I'd also suggest that time (more than could be taken prior to a timely review) will only heighten that emotion further. Captivating – in the right circumstances – but captivating nonetheless.

Track Listing
1. Elysian Dreams
2. Evolve Or Perish
3. Rapture ft. Beth Cannon
4. Give Fight To The Imagination ft. Freyja
5. Dissolve ft. Saturday Sun
6. Illuminate
7. Spirit
8. Futures Dark ft. Nadine Wild Palmer
9. Black Folds
10. A Thousand Lost Dreams

Added: June 14th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Nordic Giants at KScope
Hits: 2100
Language: english

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