ninehertz

I didn’t click who was involved in this until a couple of songs in – it is released by Pelagic Records which is enough of a reason to have delved in – and was astounded as to its quality. It was only subsequently I discovered this features members of what is (or at least used to be) called the Church of Ra – the low-countries collective featuring the likes of Amenra and Oathbringer – plus others notably including Crossbringer. It suddenly added up.

This is a mere four song long EP, but such is its strength, ferocity and beauty I suspect it will be treated as a landmark release in the year. It opens with a vocal-centric performance, instrumentation only appearing in earnest at its end, before launching into the phenomenal New Moon, all post-metal, black metal and skittish hardcore. Its anger is alive, the vocals are stunning within and around the potent concoction.

That Oathbreaker lineage can be heard on Peeling Cycle with its raging fire, a progressive sludge and blackened hardcore in the guitars that have distant calls to the likes of both Rwake and Celeste. These songs aren’t long, yet they feel epic. Contemplation in Time completes the record, extremely powerfully too. Laden with emotion through voracious vocals, they wring every drop of feeling together out of their performance.

It is over too soon; repeat plays are mandated. This collective of Belgian bands have already given us so much and this shows that their creative energies still flow as strong as ever. This is a stunning record.