ninehertz

There's so much to admire about Mares of Thrace - be it the fact they're only a duo yet create this tumultuous noise, their longevity, their positivity online and their fierce politicism, all of which makes you want to love them (and all of which could apply to fellow Canadians Vile Creature, I realise now I write it down). And most of all, of course - and as it should be - is the music, which has always been incredible and now somehow, they've taken a step up that wasn't obviously possible.

It's worth stating from the start - The Loss is a stunning record, the best they have ever been. There's so much in here to unpack, a review won't get close to describing all of the styles and spirit within,; this will only touch the surface. It is a semi-concept album around the stages of grief, an apt topic for such high emotion and grand ambition. The opening Anticipatory Grief starts in a blitz of guitars and noise that could be metallic hardcore or even death metal such is its ferocity, but simply serves to lay down an early marker of Mares of Thrace's intent - this is a band lacking in patience and full of verve - it settles only slightly into Rwake-esque sludge and sounds glorious with it.

This band have always been special, but this feels like a statement to say not only have they not lost anything but that they're bigger and better than ever, through its bold production and intensity. It is even more evident on the following The First Stage: Shock, vocals that seem so raw as to be close to cracking, post-hardcore and noise rock as its base - maybe even a touch of screamo meets post-metal aesthetics in the maelstrom. A couple of songs in and this is viscerally real, hard not to be fervidly involved with the whole mood of it.

As you can tell, it's hard not to be swept away in an enthusiastic fervour, but fuck it - sometimes its good to be giddily report back on a band done good. I could go on, track by track - but hopefully you get the idea and best leaving this to discover for yourself. It's not absolutely perfect, but it doesn't need to be, it's honesty shines through. From the blackened hardcore of The Fourth Stage: Bargaining to the acoustic instrumental ending, it is marvellously realised. Even the bridge track of Disenfranchised Grief is special, exploding through the vocals from out of nowhere.

The experience of the album is akin to providing an outlet to a friend speaking of their anguish, so personal and emotive it proves. Throw in the purely musical angle - a band taking from multiple genres, from doom, post metal, blackened hardcore - even nu metal and noise rock perhaps - and it coalesces into an undeniably stunning record. This is a band that has been impactful and real, with great tunes, for at least 15 years now, so to arrive here so long into their existence, to create their best work ever, to create what will surely be a contender for metal album of the year is phenomenal. A word which aptly describes how good The Loss is.