Out now on ConSouling Sounds
Imagine birds singing, sadistic whispering and creepy childlike vocals chanting a hauntingly catchy tune. When I say the vocals are creepy, I mean very creepy... this 1:26 long introduction would be at home being overplayed over the scariest horror film you have ever seen. It’s a perfect little appetiser for a sludge/psychedelic bombardment from A Sign of Time by Belgian five piece Maudlin.
We’re then thrown into ‘She Whispers Treason’ which has thick sludgy bass in abundance and wonderful soft layers of guitar. The vocals kick in which are a little screamy without being too heavy and there is a wonderful catchy guitar part, which will stick around in your brain for days, think Tool meets a modern day post-metal band. The song breaks down into exhilarating tribal chanting and there is a subtle hint of space rock synths in the background, clever stuff. Another vocalist joins us from beyond the mist too, who is eerily engaging and almost Peter Steele like. There are many little pockets to like about Maudlin’s sound.
‘Lilith’ continues along similar lines but is a little more aggressive and heavy. The dual vocals work well between the heavier parts and the break downs. There are interesting hooks which are easy to miss and only accessible through multiple listens, a sign of any good album.
‘A Perfect Sky of Black’ starts off as a very catchy number but we’re soon pulled back into another breakdown and it is here I felt maybe the songs are a little formulaic. They seem to have the same structure across the board, even though it’s crying out for the band to put their foot down and keep the heaviness pumping through an entire number. Saying that, ' A Perfect Sky of Black’ is soon rescued by some wonderful psychedelic, almost Hawkwind like jamming. It’s a well known fact that going off into a space rock tangent makes everything better, every single time.
The guitarists seem to have a tremendous rapport and you are often treated to intriguing dances between them. Maudlin are never too far away from a good idea but you get the impression they need to go at it a little more full throttle.
‘Ride the Second Wave’ feels a little unfocused in the beginning but contains some spectacular riffing towards the end. Again, there are breakdowns which feel a little unnecessary but Maudlin always seem to step in when interest levels are fading and take the album into a different direction.
The same goes for ‘Goddess of the Flame’, the riffing is spectacular and is elevated even more with an almost stoner rock style group vocals, yes that’s a real thing. The 3 minutes of nod inducing riffery at the end of the track is another fine example of the many tricks which are up Maudlin’s sleeve.
The final track ‘Chasing Shades’ has a slow, almost sermon like feel to it before morphing into heavy guitars where you really feel this album will finish on an almighty high but as your just getting into it where struck with another cursed breakdown.
A Sign of Time has many strings to its bow, it has trippy little ideas which have been executed brilliantly and the band should be admired for that. However, it just lacks a little gusto and the constant breakdowns, which block you from really losing it. There seems to be an infinite number of bands inspired by post metal at the moment and Maudlin have the tools to really stand out and be counted for.
They just need to ensure they maximise on the delicate yet special qualities they possess and then fire on all cylinders. I look forward hearing what’s to come.
