LONG DISTANCE CALLING
AVOID THE LIGHT (2009)
320 KBPS
The German instrumental post-rock/metal (or whatever!) outfit Long Distance Calling returns with Avoid the Light, its second album of dense, atmospheric wall-of-sound experimentation. What else would you expect from a band that credits one of its members with "ambience"?
Opening track "Apparitions" is as mysterious as its title, going from psychedelic background music to stoner metal during the course of its 12 minutes, leaving the listener unclear about exactly where Long Distance Calling is headed on this six-song, 55-minute album. The urgent "Black Paper Planes" borrows a Rush vibe, while the crisper, less-dense "359˚" allows for some breathing room. These dudes are intelligent, too: "I Know You, Stanley Milgram!" musically references the Yale University psychologist known for his experiments in obedience. (I had to look that one up!)
As Long Distance Calling did on its debut CD, Satellite Bay, the quintet includes one vocal track here: "The Nearing Grave" features Katatonia singer Jonas Renkse, and even though the majestic doom-metal piece adheres to the album's overall structure and tone, it represents a refreshing change of pace and should compel Long Distance Calling to consider adding a full-time singer – without, of course, entirely dropping the otherworldly instrumentals.
Opening track "Apparitions" is as mysterious as its title, going from psychedelic background music to stoner metal during the course of its 12 minutes, leaving the listener unclear about exactly where Long Distance Calling is headed on this six-song, 55-minute album. The urgent "Black Paper Planes" borrows a Rush vibe, while the crisper, less-dense "359˚" allows for some breathing room. These dudes are intelligent, too: "I Know You, Stanley Milgram!" musically references the Yale University psychologist known for his experiments in obedience. (I had to look that one up!)
As Long Distance Calling did on its debut CD, Satellite Bay, the quintet includes one vocal track here: "The Nearing Grave" features Katatonia singer Jonas Renkse, and even though the majestic doom-metal piece adheres to the album's overall structure and tone, it represents a refreshing change of pace and should compel Long Distance Calling to consider adding a full-time singer – without, of course, entirely dropping the otherworldly instrumentals.
1. Apparitions
2. Black Paper Planes
3. 359
4. I Know You, Stanley Milgram!
5. The Nearing Grave (Ft. Jonas Renkse)
6. Sundown Highway
2. Black Paper Planes
3. 359
4. I Know You, Stanley Milgram!
5. The Nearing Grave (Ft. Jonas Renkse)
6. Sundown Highway
1 comment:
This is a truly fantastic album... Got it when it came out and stayed on "heavy rotation" for ages. Top choice as ever :)
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