Blueneck

Epilogue

Written by: DR on 17/03/2013 21:31:21

Blueneck, one of the UK's most under-rated yet most productive acts, have evolved from a great post-rock band into a more experimental and ambient band. By relying less on guitar-music and more on soundtrack-esque compositions, their later work fits more in line with much of the Denovali Records roster - a label who seem to put out consistently excellent records. Their latest LP, "Epilogue", their third in as many years, is yet another record of quality for both Blueneck and Denovali.

Where "The Fallen Host" and its loud crescendo-driven nature was straight out Godspeed You! Black Emperor's textbook, "Repetitions" was in some ways its antithesis, almost a reaction against its predecessor. It was more subtle and calculated, using space as another instrument in ways the band seldom achieved before. "Epilogue" is a culmination of their work so far. It's not as traditionally guitar-driven as their earlier work nor as ominous as later work; instead, it hits a sonic sweet spot between their near-unrivaled appreciation for crescendos and their new found affection for ambiance and shorter song times. Even including electronic elements, the sound of "Epilogue" is diverse; yet, it plays like a narrative or soundtrack for an exceedingly tense film.

It's typical of Blueneck that some of their best efforts on this LP are also the loudest. Songs like "Apogee", "Colonization - Incident 2" and "Symbiosis - Part 2" create rousing crescendos in such a short space of time, and do so without seeming rushed or forced, and as a result are some of their most impeccably dynamic work to date. The textures of their more subdued offerings, such as "Supression" and the first parts of "Colonization" and "Symbiosis", are so astutely composed that they are ultimately hypnotizing in their star-gazing vacancy but carry threatening elements rarely included in their music previously.

"Epilogue" is a soundtrack to a film never released, but one you feel you know. That Blueneck could sound so in control and so within their comfort zone while also looking towards a new approach is at once comfortingly familiar yet daringly alienating. "Epilogue" is unlikely to be their epilogue; it represents the end of a book - not the end of their story. It essentially rounds off their previous three albums with an excellent culmination of their sounds, while at the same time carrying the suggestion that they are about to set off on a whole new creative journey for future releases.

8

Download: Apogee, Symbiosis - Part 2, Surpression
For The Fans of: Brian Eno, John Carpenter
Listen: Facebook

Release Date 19.10.2012
Denovali Records

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