Reaching a Different Kind of Nirvana: Ethereal Riffian’s Aeonian
Oneness.
Sensation. Awareness. Not necessarily in that order – these are a few of the
track listings you’ll hear when cracking open a portal into Ethereal Riffian’s
mesmerizing Aeonian.
And like the definition of the title itself, the effect is everlasting – if
you’re up for a sonic hangover and a complete submission into enlightenment in
the way that only music can achieve.
Edge of Enlightenment
Brooding
from the overtones of late 60’s psychedelic meshed with grunge, the band’s
second album ascends to an acme of multi-sensual revelations through the
ritualistic poundings of heavy metal and otherworldly chant. It’s as if the
Gods of Valhalla have become oversaturated with carousing and entered a temple
of Tibetan monks, consequently resulting in a beautiful explosion of the
universe. If order comes out of chaos, then Ethereal Riffian delivers it aplenty
in the hammering dissonance of its grinding chords juxtaposed against the
twilight of soft, cosmic sounds. Literary parallel: in The Marriage of Heaven and Hell,
William Blake reveals “The path of excess leads to the palace of wisdom” and
there is a dark/light resonance of that mantra in this work.
The
listener is plunged into an excess of thick sound and delirious vocals in “Thugdam” (Sensation) which
transforms into a pulsing, chanting interlude to the next track. After the
numbing repetition of the first few minutes, new melodic sequences, a change of
dynamics, and the colorful harmonics of acoustic instruments begin to depict a
new sequence, fading away into oblivion before the “March of Spiritu” (Rise of Sheol).
Ghoulish sounds rise from the ashes of the first track’s inferno, before
transforming into a seductive, lyrical guitar heralded by pounding bass and
snare – an intoxicating, poisonous line which is then crushed by riotous noise
once again. A return to the chanting motif, heavy crashing and whirling in and
out of light, fleeting guitar rifts in the upper register make the
juxtaposition truly magnificent, almost as if sucking the listener in and out
of different dream states. Whatever the incantation, there is a sense of an
entire world being discovered, every change sweeping with every key progression
and build-up of rhythm and dynamics.
Ethereal Noise
At
no time is the album afraid to plunge into head-on fury or celebration. This
is not meditation
for the meek, and something reminiscent about Dante’s hell lingers here. But
this is purgatory, friends, and the heavy-chorded heavens are not far behind.
“Wakan Tanka” (Awareness) weaves a mysterious
tapestry of sultry drum beats, mellow, brooding guitar, and a drone-like yet
snaky sound that simulates something in between Tibetan chant and a didgeridoo.
The first few minutes play around with a few musical ideas, slowly developing
the motif and enabling the listener to reach a more meditative state. The
drone-like chant is truly haunting, and the power which follows is a sublime
climax. Truly celebrating the marriage between the celestial and the human,
this is the track that unleashes both fear and beauty, pushing through its
cathartic-like growls, moans, and cries before reaching enlightenment itself;
the listener has reached their zenith. “Anatman” (Oneness) is a therapeutic
come down, healing, fluid yet exuding a strong sense of stillness. It is the
meditative state at its most powerful, floating in cosmic ecstasy one moment
with the musical silhouette of distant flutes then plunging into power chords
and menacing whispers once again. At intervals it ideas seem to reflect a
strong Pink Floydian flavor reminiscent of the DarkSide of the Moon era and all its metaphysical, music
glory before dissipating into a disjointed, sweaty silence. It truly is an
experience to undertake, one which is violent yet tender, wrapped in the lust
of excess one moment then divining under purity the next.
After thoughts
It’s
difficult to undertake a journey like this and not be reeling afterwards. While
each track is substantial in its own merit, it is the album in its entirety
which lends to the ultimate sonic aesthetic and spiritual pilgrimage. Ethereal
Riffian is clearly going for an experience which transcends the norm and gives
listeners something to clamp their teeth on. It’s the kind of album which is
more than just about expelling angst, but even discovering components of the
self by healing through its many ups and downs that mirror
human nature while striving for something higher. There is a definitely
therapeutic element of it like Ethereal Riffian’s other works, and like much of
related metal/stoner music the potential to carry a universal yet intimate spiritual resonance at liveperformances is great. As a second album, Aeonian encompasses
an already developed, mature understand of sound dynamic and concept, yet
remains refreshing in its scope.
So
shut off the lights, lay back on the floor, and let the encroaching darkness of
the room envelope you as you let Aeonian fill
your vessel and take over.
(Reviev by EVE)
(Reviev by EVE)
No comments:
Post a Comment