The Chant - New Haven (2014) - Review

Details

Published on Monday, 23 June 2014 22:40

Band: The Chant
Album title: New Haven
Release date: 6 June 2014
Label: Lifeforce Records

Tracklist:
01. Earthen
02. Minotaur
03. Playwright
04. Falling Kind
05. Drifter
06. Cloud Symmetry
07. Until We Witness
06. Come To Pass

In one word this album is mesmerizing! Those who know The Chant from before already know what to expect from this Finnish septet, as they already introduced us into their melancholic and atmospheric version of rock with their previous three albums, Ghostlines (2008), This Is The World We Know (2010) and Healing Place (2012). This time I can say that the Finns went one step higher in creating such a high density in their sonic output. Even though at the first instance it might sound very simple and even if it has a lot of similarities with the latest most melancholic Katatonia outputs and conditionally also with Anathema songs it offers a beautiful journey into the deepest corners of your soul. It touches with elegance, it can push you somewhere where only your most intimate thoughts find a place. It's a beauty.

New Haven is full of beautiful melodies, the sound is made of breathtaking harmonies, yet there you might find a lot of powerfull outbreaks, sometimes even almost doomy parts lay hidden in the tracks. Do you remember for example the Katatonia's songs like "Departer" or "The Racing Heart"? Here's a lot of similar emotions. With dreamy, sometimes acoustic guitar lines, teasing chords and spherical piano touches here and there it plays with listeners emotions over and over again. Very gentle and emotional vocals, like a perfect combination between Jonas Renkse and Vincent Cavanagh, give that right chilled out and relaxating feeling that must be perfect for the coming hot summer days. This album is truly a cinematic experience that can't be broken into several parts as each track is so very well connected with another and each consequent one upgrades the unique mood even more. There are a lot of twists in New Haven, from the initial strong, almost alternative kicks in "Earthen", The Chant embraces with stunning atmospherical compositions in the haunting emotive "Playwright". You might find also some resemblances with the latest Alcest in there, but to be truthful New Haven is a bit more dynamic and enchanting record.

Each and every instrument does the perfect job, giving the right dose of slow, somehow simple, tender, then again more upbeat and gloomy sonic output. "Falling Kind" is the most upbeat song in here with kind of an alternative rock guitars, playful drums, interesting percussions and strong bass lines that can be easily marked as a missing link between new Anathema and old Placebo. The same experience, but with some more experimentations and rather more psychedelic drive is heard in very dynamic "Cloud Symmetry". One of the absolute highlights, not only on this album but in the whole atmospheric rock genre is the track "Until We Witness". In this one there's so much going, it's a very bold try in emotionally charged musical spectrum and it connects this album so well with their first two albums. And so on until the very end with melancholic sweeping, almost ethereal masterpiece "Come To Pass".

With songs that have around seven minutes of playing time, apart the three minutes long opener, New Haven plays with our deepest emotions, it's a saviour for the vulnerable and broken ones, as well it's a soothing one for the rest. It touches the listeners heart like hardly anyone can do. And everything is very well produced. It's one unique gentle experience that needs some attention, it has many interesting elements that should satisfy even the most picky lover of gloomy atmospheric rock. New Haven is one of those album that gets stuck in your head for a long time. So, fans of Katatonia, Anathema, Junius, Alcest, Placebo, Our Ceasing Voice, Jimmy Eat World and similar bands, this is an album for you.

Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 9/10

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