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Band: Seas Of Years
Album title: Drifting Ever Shifting [EP]
Release date: 15 October 2014
Label: Self-Released
Tracklist:
01. Passing Skies
02. Ledge
03. Stairwell
04. The Glass Shelter And The View
05. Rely On Thermal Winds
I believe that most of you already got familiar with the name Jari Lindholm, one of the most talented present-day guitarist, who is better known from now defunct doom metal band Slumber, from atmospheric post-rock masters AtomA and most of all from his latest incarnation Enshine who released last year a marvelous album named Origin. In the project Seas Of Years Jari is accompanied by three other metal musicians: Calle Sjöström (Obrero, Unchaste), Patrik Muhr (Insision) Ville Andersson (Mortifera, Burning Darkness). The four of them are now already out with their sophomore EP and if you ever enjoyed vastly melodic post-rock then please don't dare to skip this release.
If Seas Of Years were exploring wide oceans on their debut release Ocean Rift, now the quartet goes above and floats in the air reaching to the space. Seas Of Years are presenting their musical visions solely by instrumental songs where Jari's almost trademark guitar play really stands out and shines by all means. Be aware also by the fact that nobody else of members beside him never played any kind of post-rock related music, all of them are pure metallers, but this can be only positive as they can explore further and not being trapped by genre's boundaries, even though post-rock allows that and we heard all that before. It's not only the guitar play with many layers, but as well the rest of instruments do a fantastic job, from precise drumming, peculiar bass lines, interesting ambiances and noises created with synths, in short every single instrument and sound just perfectly supplements another. When you let your imagination fly above the skies with very dynamic drive in the strong opener "Passing Skies", where metal influences are not left behind, but what enthuses most is a catchy and captivating melody. Even more musical diversity is brought with the following songs. "Ledge" with constant exchanges of mood between gentle-emotional and crammed sonic spectrum, always filled with sparkling guitar touches, acoustic inserts and layers of heavy, often melodic, almost nostalgic riffs, yet where's needed Seas Of Years create a dense atmosphere with use of artificial sounds.
Rather more melancholic and subtle "Stairwell" with use of soft acoustic guitar tabs eases the atmosphere a bit just before Drifting Ever Shifting reaches its heights in the stellar "The Glass Shelter And The View" where Seas Of Years so smoothly built a stunning ambiance and kind of a relaxating, in the beginning almost playful feeling, like floating above everything, just listen how everything becomes intense when broad spacious synths deepen the atmosphere, and how stunningly guitars lead the song unto the point of no return. You certainly can't miss some Alcest kind of pressence in there. And suddenly we are taken with a tender thermal wind into the heights unknown, reaching the point of absolute zero in vaste cosmic realms. Believe me that I was thinking what kind of vocals could fit in there, and most of all where, but those compositions simply don't give that space, there's no need for that as everything is well balanced and already prepared for the journey of your mind and senses.
Seas Of Years became a name to be strongly considered by every fan of post-rock, post-metal and even metal-gaze, and even though you'll not discover anything really new as most of the things were heard and done before in that or another manner still they offer something refreshing, something to let you go out of this gloomy reality. With almost perfectly balanced production, mix and mastering, Drifting Ever Shifting is nothing else but a perfect music scenery for those who like to enjoy in every sparkle, tone and note.
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 8/10
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