Introducing Alderaan, from Graz in Austria, with their debut EP Infinite Paths. The four-piece, from Metal and Punk backgrounds, formed in 2015. Combining their love of Post-Rock and Instrumental music, they’ve produced a captivating, atmospheric first attempt.
Named after the planet featured in the original Star Wars movie, the band caught my eye when looking through recent releases and although there’s nothing particularly groundbreaking here, it’s the simplicity and direct approach that reeled me in. I have a weakness for the no-nonsense style; no overlong interludes, no pointless samples & no forced vocals. On Infinite Paths, we’re presented with just that.
‘The Vigilante’ starts softly with a series of repeated plucks, echoing through the quiet. Blossoming, the guitars take turns complimenting one another effortlessly, before the mood shifts into a heavier mid-point; bass and drums propelling the track forward. The influences rippling through the music become evident; sounds that’d be perfectly at home on a Caspian or This Will Destroy You record. The rhythm flows ominously before firing into a pulsating climax.
Alderaan dig deeper with ‘Even Those Who Prayed’, the longest track on the EP at just under 10 minutes, giving them time to experiment & explore, carefully piecing together an elegant, catchy opening sequence. Piercing, strained guitar rings out as the rest of the instruments grumble forward. Like Pray For Sound at their loudest, the finale is nothing short of epic. Exploding into life, it grasps hold at its peak and makes you wish it lasted a little longer; the band excelling at towering these epic moments of sprawling thrash.
My favourite of the four is penultimate track ‘Momo’. There’s a hint of distortion overlaid with subtle pulses, before sweeping into beautiful guitar. Gaining momentum with delicate, mournful little notes strewn throughout; the track rises and falls in turn, before bursting into a thrashing, resounding finish.
Final Track ‘Deorbit Myr’ follows a similar pattern. Initial softer parts are gently shaped and woven into a fleshed out beast. Blending the quieter and heavier parts expertly; catchy sequences form, but don’t settle too long before bursting into the EP’s final, crushing closure.
Like myself, fans of a more recognised, straightforward Post-Rock format will get a lot from this release. Don’t be mistaken, the guys have a lot to express through their music in their 30 minute run-time and produce a very well-balanced, polished first record. With talk of a split EP with a yet-to-be-announced German Post-Rock band later this year and work to begin on a full-length record, I’m excited and expecting to see a lot more of these talented guys in the near future.
Infinite Paths, recorded at S.T.R.E.S.S Studios and mastered at Sludge Studios, is available on Alderaan’s Bandcamp in a ‘Name your price’ format, so you’ve no excuse not to check it out!
