sludge / doom / dark rock
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It's quite interesting to see how bands evolve over the years. Aspects like line-up changes, personal experiences and new musical discoveries can alter a band's overall sound, sometimes even without the band members themselves noticing it. Fans obviously notice that. They see and hear everything, and are usually pretty quick to form and express their opinion about the new sound. Many times that opinion isn't quite good and words like 'sellout' and 'commercial' appear. But how about the sludge scene? Sludge bands can't sell out because their style rarely has any commercial capacity.
Consecration, for example, shows little to none of that. Their music has always remained heavy, pounding and highly demanding as far as the listener's attention is concerned. This trio from Belgrade, Serbia has no intention to make easy-listening music whatsoever, although I definitely think they could pull it off. Their journey started in 2000 and slowly turned into a massive and atmospheric sound. Originally a typical sludge doom band, these guys have been evolving ever since. Now, they come with a surprising, refreshing and gutful album that will rock your socks off.
I know that last one was a stupid expression, and maybe not even entirely true. This isn't rock music in the conventional meaning of the word. I think it's best to describe this as something between Isis, Godflesh, AmenRa, Katatonia, Anathema and Neurosis. Perhaps you'd think that's a strange combination but it damn well works and besides, it gets even stranger. I hear violins, trumpets and all kinds of soundscapes throughout the album, giving a song like 'Sećanje na Ameliju' a delightful dark jazz feel which I can rarely resist. There's also a hint of folk music in 'Sheed', further enhancing Consecration's sonic palette.
The other songs are dark, gloomy and slow rock anthems, incorporating elements from doom metal, post-rock/metal, stoner rock and ambient. Drawn-out drones and mostly instrumental passages alternate with heavier piece of doom and great clean vocals. Track duration seems to be irrelevant and the band even uses silence as an important part of their music. Furthermore, these guys seem to have been influenced by the likes of King Crimson and Pink Floyd too, resulting in an awesome feeling of epicness. All those influences are present in the brilliant title track 'Grob'.
I have to admit, at first I was a bit reticent about this album. In a way I thought it was typical sludge album number 259863321 but by the end of opener 'Debeli leptir' I was definitely convinced of the talent this band possess. Halfway through, I have to concede that this is a potential end-year-lister. Consecration delivered a stunning album which gathers some of the best elements from fourty years of heavy music. This band has come a long way and I wonder where they will go from here. I certainly hope their journey brings them to a stage near my place...
Serge
Consecration, for example, shows little to none of that. Their music has always remained heavy, pounding and highly demanding as far as the listener's attention is concerned. This trio from Belgrade, Serbia has no intention to make easy-listening music whatsoever, although I definitely think they could pull it off. Their journey started in 2000 and slowly turned into a massive and atmospheric sound. Originally a typical sludge doom band, these guys have been evolving ever since. Now, they come with a surprising, refreshing and gutful album that will rock your socks off.
I know that last one was a stupid expression, and maybe not even entirely true. This isn't rock music in the conventional meaning of the word. I think it's best to describe this as something between Isis, Godflesh, AmenRa, Katatonia, Anathema and Neurosis. Perhaps you'd think that's a strange combination but it damn well works and besides, it gets even stranger. I hear violins, trumpets and all kinds of soundscapes throughout the album, giving a song like 'Sećanje na Ameliju' a delightful dark jazz feel which I can rarely resist. There's also a hint of folk music in 'Sheed', further enhancing Consecration's sonic palette.
The other songs are dark, gloomy and slow rock anthems, incorporating elements from doom metal, post-rock/metal, stoner rock and ambient. Drawn-out drones and mostly instrumental passages alternate with heavier piece of doom and great clean vocals. Track duration seems to be irrelevant and the band even uses silence as an important part of their music. Furthermore, these guys seem to have been influenced by the likes of King Crimson and Pink Floyd too, resulting in an awesome feeling of epicness. All those influences are present in the brilliant title track 'Grob'.
I have to admit, at first I was a bit reticent about this album. In a way I thought it was typical sludge album number 259863321 but by the end of opener 'Debeli leptir' I was definitely convinced of the talent this band possess. Halfway through, I have to concede that this is a potential end-year-lister. Consecration delivered a stunning album which gathers some of the best elements from fourty years of heavy music. This band has come a long way and I wonder where they will go from here. I certainly hope their journey brings them to a stage near my place...
Serge