Ghost Iris

Anecdotes Of Science & Soul

Written by: PP on 16/02/2015 23:59:38

With little fanfare or hype, Ghost Iris are preparing to unleash their debut album "Anecdotes Of Science & Soul" to the unsuspecting Danish metal public. That is, unless you had the opportunity to witness The Monolith (their previous moniker) play live at any point during the last two years, because then you are already expecting a monumentally powerful album that represents a paradigm shift in the Danish metal scene. It's not the most anticipated Danish metal release in 2015, but it damn well should be based on the tour-de-force the band presents on this album. It's the first time a Danish band has come out the gates roaring in such a convincing manner, explicitly declaring their djent / technical metal expression ready for international prime-time straight from opening track "Dreamless State".

What starts with foreshadowing ambiance and chilling melody for the first forty seconds or so very rapidly shifts into immensely heavy djent groove and bass-heavy, complex sound, before we get the first taste of Jesper Gün's frankly amazing vocal range that's in the spotlight throughout the album. A ravaging growl typical to heavier metalcore and djent bands defies his physical size as a vocalist, bringing together one part guttural and one part decipherable style that feels as dominant as it does powerful and engaging. Not satisfied with a monotonous expression, his growl varies from the lower-deep end to high-end shrieks, and on occasion, direct forays into straight up post-hardcore where he channels his inner Anthony Green (Saosin/Circa Survive) interpretation through high-pitched, strained vocals that feel both desperation-driven and passionate at the same time. At the same time, the rest of the band are putting on a demonstration of exceptional fretwork through complicated and technically advanced guitar/bass combinations that shift between punishing djent riffs to intricate high-end melodies that recall The Contortionist or even Between The Buried And Me at their very best.

Indeed, the band's influences are prominently on display throughout "Anecdotes Of Science & Soul". The Contortionist, The Safety Fire, Periphery and Circa Survive all appear as clear influences, yet the band circumnavigates all four bands through a unique expression that is very much their own. Thanks to a crystal clear, Nuclear Blast-worthy production which helps accentuate the djent grooves perfectly while highlighting the melodic passages equally well, the band's interpretation of the genre is both fresh and flourishing with international class songwriting that's undoubtedly export-ready for the big markets for this kind of music in the UK and Germany, and why not even the US at one point. Highlights "Phalanx", "Magenta Pt. 2; Astral Projection" and "Dream Catching A Nightmare" are better individual songs than most of their contemporaries are able to muster internationally, and within Denmark it's not even a competition at this point in time. With modern metal influences (-core genres) and great aptitude for writing challenging and complex soundscapes overall, Ghost Iris essentially present a new benchmark for not just djent, metalcore and post-hardcore in Denmark, but Danish metal as a whole.

Virtually all songs are great from a songwriter's perspective, offering a plethora of djent tunes seamlessly intertwined with elements of post-hardcore and metalcore, but the highlights are truly excellent pieces that will likely propel Ghost Iris into international recognition in no time. "Anecdotes Of Science & Soul" is one of the most complete bodies of work within its natural genres nationally, an awe-inspiring accomplishment from a young and relatively inexperienced band at this stage.

Download: Phalanx, Dream Catching A Nightmare, Magenta Pt. 2: Astral Projection, Influx
For the fans of: The Contortionist, The Safety Fire, Periphery, Circa Survive, TesseracT
Listen: Facebook

Release date 23.02.2015
Prime Collective


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