ninehertz

This is something that requires – and rewards – the finding of room, headspace and time to sit with and take in. Don’t be fooled by its mere two tracks. This is a journey lasting well over half an hour, a doom expedition undertaken by band and listener.

It is ponderous, explorative doom. The opening title track doesn’t overload its background, allowing it to feel spacious between the slow drag of the notes. It really is glacial, drone in its effect rather than a strict musical expression. Vocals eventually arrive after nine minutes, as mere grunts into the dark. It gives you the freedom for you mind to wander – not in a distracted way, but intoxicated by its atmosphere. It reminds me in many ways to another gargantuan Canadian doom group, Aiauasca. It is so impressive how they can sustain so little for so long and how impactful it proves.

Endless Winter, three minutes shorter but still more than sixteen long, has a long gentle lead in. This has reminders of the quieter passages of Sunn O))) as it subtly grows, evolving with a steady, naturally slow momentum, but simply feeling unrushed, at peace with its environment. The guitar starts to chime in increasingly singular and ominous tone.

Its frugal, economical nature is its true genius, asking you to trust them to follow on this parsimonious path. The reward I spoke of early on is real, this is doom drone that feels earthly and oddly soulful, a special album that I became immediately very fond of.