.jpg)
'The Methuselah Tree'
In just a few short
years, Canada's iVardensphere has proven to be one of the most
ambitious projects in the modern industrial scene. A myriad of styles
blended together into something truly unique that continues to evolve
on every release. Tribal rhythms, goa, industrial, world music,
trip-hop, ebm and power noise are mutated and reformed into stunning
dance-orientated odysseys.
The latest album, 'The
Methuselah Tree', is once again primarily geared around the
experimental and immersible instrumentals which consistently stand
out. But it also continues the ongoing collaborations and
partnerships which have led to the band's presence to grow.
The album begins with a
string of exquisite, rhythmically enticing slices of evocative dance
courtesy of 'Mother Of Crows', 'Bloodline', 'The Doorway', and 'A
Black Sun On The Horizon (Invocation)'. Each of which display both
variety and confident refinement. The fifth track on the album,
'Break The Sky' is the first song to focus on lyrics as well.
Vocalised by Aesthetic Perfection's Daniel Graves, it's not a typical
dance floor cut. But rather something edgier and far more involved
with it's slow melodic build into hard, noisey beats.
The likes of
'Snakecharmer', 'Observing Bartok (Stamping Dance)', 'Eclipse' and
'Narada' continue the epic instrumental global trip with middle
eastern-tinged melodies and hard industrial beats. While 'The
Impossible Box' featuring vocals from Jamie Blacker, 'Society Of
Dogs' featuring Tom Shear and Mari Kattman, and 'The Methuselah Tree'
(again featuring vocals from Jamie Blacker) give the album it's more
accessible side for casual listeners with their shorter and more
direct styles.
'The Methuselah Tree'
maintains a balance in favour of the band's globe-trotting epics, but
as with 'APOK' before it, gives ample room to collaborative efforts
that will certainly bring them to a wider audience. The production
here is first class and once again the attention to even the most
minute details in the heavily layered songs herald the collective
skills of the band as musicians and song writers.
The album is a
testament to the band's unwavering vision, as well as their current
standing amongst their peers. 'APOK' may have been somewhat
disjointed in it's final construction, but the band have learned
their lessons and created a more well-rounded and cohesive album
rather than a collection of tracks. The experimental edge of their
sound is now at its most sharp and focussed. This could be a real
game changer for iVardensphere.