(Relapse)
Not at all what I was expecting here, but I’m still front row centre for it, Idle Heirs featuring Sean Ingram, he of the mighty booming voice behind Coalesce. But the sounds that Ingram, Josh Barber, and a host of other collaborators lay down are nothing like that legendary hardcore/metal band: opener “Loose Tooth” is a slow, quiet, post-metal piece that is half Mogwai, half Mare, and when it explodes, it explodes with an incredible satisfaction.
“Rare Bird” showcases an excellent, smart use of melody, and I’m thinking Heiress here both in terms of the epic atmosphere and also in seeing a legendary HC/metal screamer allow himself a bit more breathing room.
Great song, as is album centrepiece “Dim Shepherd”, a truly moving track, and album highlight “Dead Ringer” (all 9:39 of it), again, the forward momentum reminding me of Heiress, of the best post-metal, a sort of rumbling, hypnotic low groove that threatens to get dull—at 50 minutes, this record is pushing it—but offers just enough emotional heft to keep things vital.
Acoustic closer “Momma” seals the deal and also makes me realize as the album comes to a somber close that Ingram really sounds nothing like the devil we know here, crafting a whole new identity on this great album.
Rating: 8.0
Source: bravewords.com
