A point of difference is essential, in this day and age where so many bands seem to sprout the possibility of sounding similar is more than ever before. Tribulation have been quietly tinkering away, touring with classic bands the likes of Behemoth and Cannibal Corpse the band have been slowly but surely priming themselves for the release of one of the best records of the year.
[tracklist]
1. Strange Gateways Beckon
2. Melancholia
3. In The Dreams Of The Dead
4. Winds
5. Sjalaflykt
6. The Motherhood Of God
7. Strains Of Horror
8. Holy Libations
9. Cauda Pavonis
10. Music From The Other
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]56:00[/length]
[record_label]Century Media[/record_label]
[release_date]April 20th 2015[/release_date]
[/details]
Flitting from each nook and cranny from the abyssal black metal corner Tribulation offer something completely different to a scene that can be seen as so tired and samey. Layering their songs in a sepia like tinge we see the band’s array of influences shining through, from the likes of classic Celtic lead lines that meander in “Melancholia” reminiscent of a frosty Thin Lizzy. The band then decide to opt for a slight different approach, yet all the while embalming the listener with their dusty tones.
Exhibited perfectly in the raspy vocals of singer Johannes Andersson, that marries perfectly with the crunchy riffing of guitarists’ Adam Zaars and Jonathan Hultén, yet one of the bands ace in the hole has to be the sense of enveloping atmosphere. Instead of the often oppressive sound that can come from black metal the band create harmonies that would sit better in a heavy metal outfit, yet pull it off with style and aplomb. Creating arid sounds fitting more with Wolves In The Throne Room than Krallice. Where songs can also tend to be overly long for the sake of it these tracks are neatly arranged in memorable fashion enabling the listener to take in enough in each track without overloading the listener.
Whilst bathing in the atmospheric tendencies that black metal holds the band yield to the structures of classic heavy metal. Sprawling guitar solo’s reminiscent of classic seventies greats, coupled with the bands nostalgia tantalizing tone. The Children Of The Night is a fantastic escapade into the theatrical it must be said. Opening the album “Strange Gateways Beckons”initiates the listener to exactly what is to be expected from the record. Melding all these different genres the band succeed at creating a delightfully theatric set piece that would totally have been on Dracula’s gramophone. Executed with style the band creep into “The Motherhood Of God” where we see the resurgence of the atonal melodies. Yet whilst the tones can be discordant they can create a fantastic sense of lucidity. Following track “Strains Of Horror” coupled with the haunting organ and the jarring distortion creates a song that oozes menace. Neatly tucking the listener in with the soothing malevolence of final section of piano as the song sways into “Holy Libations”.
The sense of maturity embedded in the songs makes for an incredibly engaging listen, walking the metaphorical tightrope between genres yet always retaining the twine amongst the labyrinth that is their quintessential sound. Simultaneously harking back to the days of Black Sabbath, where jamming was not only commonplace but essential to a bands creativity. The band exude a sense of organic originality that is truly spellbinding! Slowly raising the tension throughout the album with the slight gallop of riffs that seamlessly give way to beautiful pentatonic solo’s that may not be the most technical but compliment the music exactly as it is needed.
The smoke and mirrors of piling effect pedals on guitar lines, echo on vocals and grainy bass may be prevalent yet they hide nothing. Instead of hiding the band’s lacking elements they simply highlight the brilliance. Pure and simple this is a band that have stripped everything back to become incredibly minimalist yet create such a larger than life sound. The album’s direction itself is flawless, with varying tempos, different tones able to create songs that stand alone yet all the while create a melancholic ascent to the albums grand finale introduction “Cauda Pavonis” to the pinnacle “Music From The Other” with one of the best uses of the classic stage finisher since the opening of “Fight Fire With Fire”.
An absolute tour de force, creating a liberating sense of freedom that so often unfairly restrains bands of the black metal category. Creating the air of classic occult by using space a sense of organic inception. With vocals that do not invade the song yet instead create a lachrymose sense of peril alongside the sorrowful triumphant instruments Tribulation have created something truly unique that will peak the interests of not only the black metal elite but anyone who deems themselves to enjoy rock. Essential.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]With Children Of The Night, Tribulation have not only harnessed the essence from both Death Metal and Black Metal but embody the entire meaning of what 70’s rock entails. Quite like nothing else you will hear this year. Sublime.[/why]
If you liked what you read / heard then you can pick up the bands brand new album here!
