Two years on from the phenomenal Marine Snow, Swedish post-metalers Novarupta unleash album number three in a four part series, this time focusing on the natural element of Air. Carrion Movements sees a move away from the multi vocalist approach to a long form instrumental album containing two tracks spanning over 18 minutes each. This is music which requires attention to fully embrace the space it traverses and the rewards for that attention are a unique ride through a dynamic and enchanting listen.
Having explored the fire-ridden wastelands of a volcanic eruption and then the cooling depths of lava sinking to the bottom of the ocean, Alex Stjernfeldt tackles the elemental force of air. Through ‘Eurus’ and ‘Boreas’ there are many flickers of Novarupta as they have set out previously with a delicious guitar tone which mixes in with dark atmospheric soundscapes and ever present drumming. Air as a concept may paint the picture of some light and fluffy but the two tracks are far from that. The choice of song titles, ‘Eurus’ and ‘Boreas’, the Gods of the East and North winds in Greek mythology are more than backed up by dark and powerful music.
One metric the album could be measured on is whether the concept of air is equated through the two tracks and I would have to say it most certainly is. ‘Eurus’ builds like a swell which just continues to pour over and over, unlike a simple crescendo that sees the steady release of power so the impact is longer and just as memorable. ‘Boreas’ hangs like a sky threatening a deluge which the listener is drifting through and above. As the song unwinds so too the feeling of water dropping through the air increases and brightness begins to return.
Whilst a departure from the last two albums it is by no means disconnected. After listening it is completely clear how necessary that was to produce such a bold piece of work and to effectively cover the theme whilst avoiding cliché or being repetitive. Work is underway on the final chapter of this stunning collection and Carrion Movements has opened up a wide field for that album to strike. Novarupta continues to do no wrong and as ambitious as Carrion Movements is, Stjernfeldt has shown he is more than up to the challenge.
