Let me just print the names of the songs here, so you know what you're getting into.
1.Alone and unaware, the landscape was transformed in front of our eyes
2.Buildings began to stretch wide across the sky and the air filled with a reddish glow
3.The soundless dawn came alive as cities began to mark the horizon
4.Mechanical sounds cascaded through the city walls and everyone reveled in their ignorance
5.A brief moment of clarity broke through the deafening hum, but it was too late
6.Our happiest days slowly began to turn to dust
7.The sixth extinction crept up slowly like the sunlight through the shutters as we looked back in regret
No words beyond the epic and cinematic song titles, some kind of story going on, seven tracks comprising one hour's worth of music...Folks, we're dealing with some post-rock here.
Okay - enough snarky genre-teasing. This is a monster album, for those with the stomach for extended minor-key instrumental metal tone poems. I won't attempt to describe or sell the concept, which is clearly apocalyptic but beyond that I am unsure, but with members from Isis, Neurosis, and Halifax Pier among others, you're guaranteed a fantastic ride.
As is often the case, to describe the music track by track would be foolish. Sweeping generalizations, then, are the name of the game today. I can tell you that the few tracks there are are long and winding, with multiple lead-ups, comedowns, freakouts, surprise slide guitar portions, and so on. I see parallels to Do Make Say Think's latest album but while that was a more groove-based, natural-sounding, and patient affair - this is cinematic, driving, and tense. There is momentum which must not be arrested and instead of letting melodies unfold and work themselves up, Red Sparowes push constantly from scene to scene like Godspeed on Antennas to Heaven, but instead of alternating between loud and soundscape, they alternate between loud and louder. The final track grows like a Tarentel or Warm Turtle-era Kinski song - shapeshifting and eventually deafening - and I would provide it if not for its length.
I strongly urge you to check out this album or at least the song I'm providing here. Despite its hardcore heritage it is quite accessible and in my opinion very good. Instrumental post-rock albums come out every so often, and sometimes they're good - this is one of the ones to own.
Here's the second track from At the Soundless Dawn, by Red Sparowes. Careful, it's a hot 10 megs.
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