Band:	EndName
Album:	Anthropomachy
Style:	Atmospheric sludge metal
Release date:	August 2011

01. Black Light
02. Neuros[e]
03. Under Asphalt
04. Old Star
05. Clouds Fly To The East
06. Not Dead
07. Horizon
08. Anthropomachy

I've reviewed a lot of post-metal this year and I think it has gotten to me. I'd taken to referring to it as "Same Shit, Different Dudes" as after a while it just seemed too many followed the exact same basic blueprint to varying degrees of success. Soft bits that build up over time, add in some fuzzed distortion for crescendos, top it all off with annoying screamo vocals.

Thank you, EndName for helping break the rut.

For starters, there are no annoying screaming vocals. There are no vocals. None at all. Antrophomachy is an entirely instrumental affair.

Or should I say instruMETAL!?

Additionally the whole thing just feels more aggressive while still being that "capture some ethereal mood" type of music. There is a definite sludge injection into the standard post-approach. It's not air guitar material, you won't find it on Guitar Hero, but it has more balls and depth to it. The distortion pedal is not kept in the back only for occasional use, nope. It's on for the duration of the otherwise typical slow build up to release. This gives the music a harsher, heavier vibe than other acts in the field. This might also give it slightly more appeal to the "if it's not heavily distorted it's not tr00!" folks.

Slow moving tracks like "Under Asphalt" with drawn out chords and reverberating drum beats carry an almost doomish vibe for several minutes before the band changes it up by kicking up the tempo and switching to a tension-enhancing winding riff. Occasionally the guitarists shows off their chops with a little flash while matching the melody and emotional intent of the pieces.

Other effects, such as backing keyboards, and occasional nature sound effects also show up from time to time to add a little "sumpin-sumpin" without being overly intrusive.

Frankly, it's been an enjoyable hour-long listen. Thanks, guys!