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Band: Khôrada
Album title: Salt
Release date: 20 July 2018
Label: Prophecy Productions
Tracklist:
01. Edeste
02. Seasons Of Salt
03. Water Rights
04. Glacial Gold
05. Augustus
06. Wave State
07. Ossify
Originality in an era of creative conformity is rare. Khôrada’s debut album Salt cuts through the heavy music scene fluff and is Exhibit 1 for what can be produced through hard work and dedication to the craft when the correct amalgamation of individual personalities and talent work in unison.
Casting aside the well-known stylings of their now defunct bands, Agalloch and Giant Squid, obviously provided the crew of Don Anderson (guitar), AJ Gregory (vocals/guitar), Jason Walton (bass) and Aesop Dekker (drums) the freedom to explore new sonic terrains; an opportunity they fully pursued. The easiest path would have been to replicate their old sounds without breaking new ground. Instead, Salt is a genre-defying slab of contemporary post-metal infused with a healthy appreciation of psychedelia, sludge and precise riff-mongering.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I’ve never listened to Giant Squid, so exposure to Gregory’s vocals was a fresh experience. While many contemporary vocalists choose grunts and growls out of ease (or necessity), to my unbiased ears the clean vocals utilized on all of Salt perfectly fit with the soundscape being forged from this burst of new growth as artists and creators.
With this release, Anderson has assuredly cemented his place at the pinnacle of respect in the metal guitar and songwriting communities. Frankly, I always thought he was a bit creatively constrained by playing in Agalloch and preferred his work with Sculptured. On Salt, his guitar lines weave slyly throughout the entire album as if he could lose complete control at any minute. It has an ENERGY that cannot be purchased. The interplay between his and Gregory’s own guitar playing, especially on “Glacial Gold” with its transcendent opulence, sets a new standard that many will try to replicate.
Without doubt Walton and Dekker continue to lay down a solid, progressive backbone for the songs. Even after multiple listens through the album, I continue to hear new textures to their parts. They have earned the accolades they doubtless will receive and should never be overlooked.
Standout tracks include the tragic “Augustus” and the gloomy late 70s/early 80s goth rock and British dark wave musical quotations of “Water Rights”. Really, the entire album needs to be listened to multiple times before its majesty is truly revealed and appreciated. Mere words from a reviewer do no justice.
Review written by: Russell Orchard
Rating: 9/10
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