By: Daniela Patrizi
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Released on April 17, 2015 via Division Records and Hummus Records
ØLTEN define themselves as a post-porn-sludge instrumental trio from Watch Valley, Switzerland. What we know about them is that they made a huge splash with their 2013 self-titled début EP where they managed to blend together sludge metal with classic heavy metal and post-rocky sound (read the review here). Christophe Macquat (guitar), Sébastien Bandelier (bass) and Marc Theurillat (tambourine and drums) are about the release their first full length via Hummus Records and Division Records, which will please fans of Cult of Luna, Neurosis or Russian Circles.
The new album, Mode, is a phenomenally crafted beast and I’ve been listening to it for a while before starting writing about it and I really dig it. Starting from the album cover the new collection of songs is definitely original and it shows well that attention to details that ØLTEN already proven with the previous release. After a first listen Mode appears as a 45 minute-long song, but listening to it again and again you’ll be able to discover the several nuances of a unique sound that changes its shape while you proceed along the album.
The brilliantly written opening track ‘Bözberg’ starts off with beautiful drone sound mixed with heavy riffs that slowly leave the scene to melodic guitar that, despite the funereal tones of the first notes, brings comfort to the listener. ‘Bözberg’ dissolves into the heavier ‘Mamü’, which has a hypnotic power. The music comes from everywhere and if you experience it with your headphones on you’ll feel completely blown away from its pursuing heavy riffs.
‘Ogna’ is a monotonous moment of the album, which isn’t bad, but this is the only track where I can’t see the personality of an outfit that in several occasions demonstrates its talent and ability to write something different from the classic sludge metal scheme.
A few minutes later instead Mode reaches its peak with ‘Gloom’, which is the longest track of the record and the only song that’s not fully instrumental thanks to the guest vocals by Tomas Liljedahl, former vocalist of the legendary Breach, screaming, among other things, “Release me to the fields, give me the last wings.” Striking just the right balance between heavy and melodic ‘Gloom’ is a real masterpiece and a pleasure to hear and to experience. If you love sludge music you’ll love this track and if you have no idea about how sludge sounds like you’ll start appreciating it. The guitar riffs here are colossal and the perfect marriage between sludge metal and classic metal demonstrates the big step ahead the trio has made from their début EP.
Mode tells you how powerful the band’s playing is and those of you that were looking forward to see what this post-porn-sludge instrumental trio from Switzerland is able to do with a full-length album can consider themselves completely satisfied.
