dark metal / doom / black metal / progressive
Coined as the scene's most highly anticipated new band, Khôrada quickly set high expectations for themselves. Founded by former members of legendary American bands Agalloch and Giant Squid, this new entity debuts with unusual artwork (by painter & sculptor Cedric Wentworth) and an unusual sound. Khôrada is not only a brand new start after the demise of their previous bands, it's also a way to further explore their creative capabilities. The result is quite fascinating, practically impossible to categorize and certainly a fresh sound in an already loaded alternative music scene. I can call it "dark metal" but there's more than darkness and more than metal to be found.
The album opens with 'Edeste', which is no way functions as an intro. The song immediately drags you into the vast, expansive world of Khôrada. Doom metal seems to be the main element, judging from the massive riffs and the mostly slow tempo. On the other hand, this song also shows a few black metal elements, which most headbangers will easily appreciate. Moonspell comes to mind but that reference just as easily disappears again. Traditional dark metal bands are more radio-friendly and easy digestible as this one. This one never shuns the experiment, not musically, not in the vocal efforts, never.
'Seasons Of Salt' further digs into the obscure underground, combining doom riffs with black metal riffs. For me, this track is an early highlight. Somehow the vocals here bring Serj Tankian to mind. Not that this music resembles System Of A Down, although both bands share an often unpredictable nature. 'Water Rights' is another unique piece of progressive doom rock. In some passages Fields Of The Nephilim as well as other, more obscure, goth rock bands comes to mind while other blast intense sludge doom through my speakers . Strange but definitely interesting, that's for sure.
I haven't mentioned post rock yet, a genre that is not to be ignored these days. And yes, here too some vast instrumental and atmospheric passages appear, mostly evolving in sluggish doom after a while. In that aspect, 'Glacial Cold' is another one of my favorites, thriving on elementary but infections doom riffs. At the end you can find two more epic anthems which will easily gain the attention of every fan of progressive and atmospheric music. 'Ossify' is a perfect closer, powerful yet melodic, experimental yet immersive.
'Salt' is a remarkable album, somewhat political at times since it was written under the pressure and uncertainty of the beginning of the Trump-era. Back then there was doubt, frustration, chaos and fear, elements which certainly reflect on the overall sound of this album. Yet, most of all, this is an intensely emotional piece of work, one that might just as well become a prelude of great things to come for Khôrada.
Serge
The album opens with 'Edeste', which is no way functions as an intro. The song immediately drags you into the vast, expansive world of Khôrada. Doom metal seems to be the main element, judging from the massive riffs and the mostly slow tempo. On the other hand, this song also shows a few black metal elements, which most headbangers will easily appreciate. Moonspell comes to mind but that reference just as easily disappears again. Traditional dark metal bands are more radio-friendly and easy digestible as this one. This one never shuns the experiment, not musically, not in the vocal efforts, never.
'Seasons Of Salt' further digs into the obscure underground, combining doom riffs with black metal riffs. For me, this track is an early highlight. Somehow the vocals here bring Serj Tankian to mind. Not that this music resembles System Of A Down, although both bands share an often unpredictable nature. 'Water Rights' is another unique piece of progressive doom rock. In some passages Fields Of The Nephilim as well as other, more obscure, goth rock bands comes to mind while other blast intense sludge doom through my speakers . Strange but definitely interesting, that's for sure.
I haven't mentioned post rock yet, a genre that is not to be ignored these days. And yes, here too some vast instrumental and atmospheric passages appear, mostly evolving in sluggish doom after a while. In that aspect, 'Glacial Cold' is another one of my favorites, thriving on elementary but infections doom riffs. At the end you can find two more epic anthems which will easily gain the attention of every fan of progressive and atmospheric music. 'Ossify' is a perfect closer, powerful yet melodic, experimental yet immersive.
'Salt' is a remarkable album, somewhat political at times since it was written under the pressure and uncertainty of the beginning of the Trump-era. Back then there was doubt, frustration, chaos and fear, elements which certainly reflect on the overall sound of this album. Yet, most of all, this is an intensely emotional piece of work, one that might just as well become a prelude of great things to come for Khôrada.
Serge
