Yet, regardless of that, this is something you should check out if you're a (post-) metal fan. These guys do amazing things without opening their mouths, except maybe to breathe and to say 'thank you' after they blasted one of their fierce instrumentals over a completely mesmerized audience. Yes, this is instrumental metal, a bit similar to some post-rock/metal/hardcore acts like The Ocean for instance, but there is way more to Second To Sun that just being the next post-band.
This Russian trio has been around since 2012, blending hardcore, black metal, post-rock and ethnic Finno-Ugric music, only to come out with something complex, bombastic and completely insane. So it shouldn't be a big surprise that there's a lot of different bands I think about when I listen to this. Meshuggah, Sick Of It All, The Ocean, Pain, Dillinger Escape Plan, Immortal, Evergrey and even Aphex Twin. Yes, that's it. This is the Aphex Twin of metal.
So to be able to fully comprehend this album, you don't only have to be used to these all these genres but you have to get used to the fact that they follow each other in continuously and often abruptly changing songs. The experimental nature of this music is so immense that I can't help but think that there's a background in free-jazz hidden deep within this act. One second you'll be listening to an epic post-rock anthem, the next one you'll be immersed in an orgy of ferocious blast-beats and grinding guitars.
The weirdness and complexity also reminds me a bit of acts like Fantomas, be it in a clear metal setting. But then again there are fantastic tunes on this album, like 'The Blood Libel', which is one of the most immersive instrumental anthems I've ever heard. If my Aphex Twin reference still stands, this song is their 'Windowlicker'. You should probably have guessed that this is my favorite song on this album, the only downside is (and that counts for most of the songs), it's too short.
It's followed by 'Narcat', which actually is a math-grind tune. You can almost hear the guttural growls hidden behind massive walls of distortion. Then, the song turns into...Oh whatever, this stuff is just way to stunning to understand what the hell is going on. Check it out, buy it, recommend them for Dunk!Festival, Incubate or whatever high quality music discovery festival could cope with originality. I need a cigarette, I feel as if I just had sex with nine highly experienced geishas...
Serge