Review:

on 2007-07-20 JackyJawless Said:

The only thing that I don't get about Cult of Luna is why they never seem to be mentioned in the same breath as bands like Isis, Neurosis, Jesu and Pelican. This band is more than capable of running with the leaders of the pack. Honing their beautiful yet crushing sound since their debut EP in 2001, it is obvious that this band has matured greatly, as this is one of the most mature-sounding post-metal recordings I have ever heard.



Starting with the interesting ambient track clocking in at just over three minutes, it is the shortest track on the record, and the moaning yet melodic guitar feedback sounds along with the droning vocals set the tone for the album. You know that this record will be an emotionally draining listen. The second track, aptly entitled "Finland" starts with a bang, and explores a number of textures from beginning to end; it's something of an arduous journey through a cold, barren place, but always with a ray of hope guiding you.



One thing that is evident is that Somewhere Along the Highway is a display of absolute songwriting mastery. From the monstrously dense, chugging and churning riffs to the beautiful, layered ambient clean guitar passages, the sounds don't change, per se - rather, they shift. Every single transition is seamless, and each track moves like one gigantic, lumbering beast.



Moving onto the third track, called "Back To Chapel Town", you are treated to a long, beautiful intro of swelling guitar sounds and some electronic samples. Once the distortion kicks in, you know what to expect from the rest of the album. This track just enforces what had been on display in "Finland"; This band's sound is enormous. Everything about this band screams HUGE! The band's lineup includes three guitarists, two of whom perform vocal duties, one lead vocalist, a bassist, two percussionists and a keyboardist/electronics guy. And the only thing that's actually larger than the lineup is, which you must know by now, is the sound.



The fourth track is the second-shortest track on the disc, clocking in at just over six minutes. It could be considered a break from the barrage of noise that you've been assaulted with over the previous two tracks. the track is the most experimental on the album, featuring effects-laden guitars, clean vocals, and even a banjo comes in at one point. Overall, this track is one that you will remember, not just because it's different from the rest on the album, but because of the emotion conveyed; it is a slow and dark track, while no use of distortion is made, it is still quite heavy, although not quite in the same sense. On the whole, the atmosphere on this track is haunting, and oh so suitable considering that this album was recorded in an empty barn in the middle of nowhere somewhere in Sweden.



Starting with the fifth track, until the closing seventh track on the disc, it is more of what we have seen in "Finland" and "Back To Chapel Town". None of these tracks are shorter than 10 minutes, and the closer stretches out past the 15-minute mark. The last three tracks feature moody shifts, crushing ambiences, pure unbridled aggression, as well as what could quite possibly be, a couple of the most beautiful moments you will ever hear in modern music.



I will not give away the album, but the high point on this recording has to be the sixth track, titled "Dim", as it is the prime example of what this band does best. This song features some of the most brutal, barbaric rhythmic sections, and some of the most tortured-sounding vocals on this side of the galaxy, but is opened with some of the most beautiful passages any band has been able to create in the recent past.



This album is completely flawless, and that's all there is to it. Cult of Luna's "Somewhere Along the Highway" could very well change the face of post-metal. As far as I'm concerned, Isis and the other big boys have something to be afraid of, because there is a beautiful monstrosity coming for them from Sweden - and fast.
Rating: 10/10