Wednesday 18 May 2016

Sūrya - Apocalypse A.D. (Album Review)


Release date: May 27th 2016. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD

Apocalypse A.D. – Tracklisting

1. Dark Clouds Gathering
2. Aghora
3. Prometheus
4. Dark Light
5. Apocalypse A.D.
6. Resurrection of Care

Band Members:

Raquel - drums
Rafal - guitar
Mark - bass
Bartek - guitar

Review:

Atmospheric Doomsters – Sūrya – is a concept album about the end of the world. You should know that by the title of the album, Apocalypse A.D. but you’re soon thrust into this heavy and nightmarish world courtesy of the opening track – Dark Clouds Gathering. An ambient/noise driven instrumental sludge track with highly inventive news feeds outlining the plot of the entire album. A superb opening to this great album.

I’m not going to do a song-by-song review as this album should be taken as one epic song where the songs being broken down into chapters. Sūrya create a flurry of heavy pounding industrial based riffs where their music falls firmly in the Doom/Post-Metal world that Pelican made their name with many years ago. It’s quite a dark and depressing album to listen to at times.

The instrumental work even though superb throughout the entire album, there are times where the band should have used less volume as it can be quite deafening at times especially on songs such as Aghora and Resurrection Of Care. Maybe I’m suffering from old-age now but the volume on this album left me turning down the volume. Apart from that minor complaint, Sūrya have created a highly complex and multi-layered album as their sound changes directions with nearly every song. Industrial, Drone, Noise, Sludge, Doom and Post-Metal are some of the heavy riffs the band utilizes in creating an emotional journey. Though it’s their use of soundclips that gives their music a haunting edge. Fans of much missed band – Fall Of Efrafa – will find much to enjoy here.

Sūrya are signed to Argonauta Records and that’s a sign of quality in my humble opinion. As that label hasn’t put a foot wrong lately. They’ve signed a lot of great bands to their roster recently and Sūrya is no different. Apocalypse A.D. may take a few listens to fully understand and appreciate but its well worth the effort as it becomes more rewarding as a result. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Barbara at NeeCee Agency for the promo. Apocalypse A.D. Will be available to buy from Argonauta Records on CD/DD from May 27th 2016.

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