My favorite 2022 discovery so far.
This record combines memorability with engulfing atmosphere, and effectively marries frailty and aggression. A moving, haunting release. The vocals are a clear standout on this one, both the ethereal cleans and the relentless growls and screams, and the airy guitar passages paint a beautiful soundscape. While the music certainly utilizes a lot of death-doom elements, along with a few flurries of blackened deathcore onslaught, I would say that the ‘post-metal’ tag wouldn’t be too inappropriate in this case as well.
It’s awesome that there are still quite a few bands that have their own signature sound, especially when the execution is so top-notch.

One of the best albums of the year without a doubt.

Wow not exactly what I was expecting, this is like listening to a more brutal Opeth at times, it's very well produced I can say that much, and the songs are very well structured, I particularly like the slow build ups, and the many fantastic vocals styles they achieve, all of which create an emotional, and at times deeply dark and disturbing atmosphere.

"Silvered Shadows", "Compost Grave-Song" and "A Vagabond's Lament" are really top quality tracks, but "Beyond The Passage Of Embers" is an epic closure, the main highight of the album for me.

The main downside I personally have is with the snare drum, which at times I find too high in the which can occasionally be off putting for me, and the fact I need to be in the exact right mood with zero distraction to fully appreciate it, but other than that it's a very good album.

Huge improvement over their debut (don't remember the EP). Will have to listen to this again for sure. The only thing I didn't like was the melodic guitar leads - at times they don't match the aesthetic of the music...almost like an unintended juxtaposition. Anyhow, hears hoping they continue down this path!

A little long in the tooth but quite beautiful throughout. Love his cleans over chuggy riffs.

Super non-standard sound and style🤥 The musicians themselves are uniquely talented, the vocalist sings 3-4 types of voice, wow. The drums are unique close to perfection… The bass player is amazing… the guitar player is perfect.. These guys have a unique future. Brutal album all around! I look forward to seeing them with something new. Guys, if you read the posts here, know that you are unique. Keep going with new music!

Great album. Compost grave song is my favourite because of it's guitar line. The lead vocalist has his own vocal coaching channel on youtube where he does a lot of reaction videos.

Liminal Rite is an epic journey filled with atmosphere, beauty and bone-crunching, clanging metal. One moment you find yourself in a peaceful trance, the next your ears are torn apart by vicious biting brutality.

The album begins its journey quietly with the instrumental opening, 'The Approaching of Atonement', after which Kardashev offers the beautiful melodic 'Silvered Shadows'. The vocals start out clean and have an almost dreamy feel that blends well with the rest of the song. Do not worry; there are plenty of traditional death metal growls included that help balance out the perfect blend of fury and atmosphere.

Continuing with more complex and mood-making music, "Lavender Calligraphy" is a lighter song with many calm and peaceful moments, with some explosive and heavy passages. The lead single, 'Compost Grave Song', is a heavy-laden doom-inspired song that thunders forward and offers some eye-burning blast beats to keep things interesting. What really makes this track stand out is the beautiful blending of clean and raw vocals.

"Glass Phantoms" plays on Kardashev's heavier sound with a hard opening, thanks in part to the thunderous and inhumanly fast drumming. In between the blast beats are layers of melodic guitars and some of the highest pitched vocal work on the album. The album ends with "A Vagabond's Gambit", an eight-minute opus with a solemn and melodic sound with many great guitar passages and "Beyond the Passage of Embers"; starting soft with ambient and dark tones, the slow lead turns halfway through to a full on attack with rough vocals and intense riffs. The spoken lyrics add to the epic and ominous feel of this track, making it a perfect way to end the album.

Liminal Rite is one of those albums that takes multiple listens to truly appreciate. There's a lot to unpack here. It's difficult, but not overwhelming. The album ranges from solemn to uplifting, light to heavy and very impressive musicianship to hold it all together.

For me, one of the most difficult albums of the year: vocals, song structures, instrumentation - all superbly crafted; but unfortunately also terribly generic and lacking in surprises. There is virtually no element here that you wouldn't have heard a thousand times before, and which in the interplay with all other elements would be more than the sum of the individual parts.

Written by Jacob Butcher on 08.10.2022 at 17:50

For me, one of the most difficult albums of the year: vocals, song structures, instrumentation - all superbly crafted; but unfortunately also terribly generic and lacking in surprises. There is virtually no element here that you wouldn't have heard a thousand times before, and which in the interplay with all other elements would be more than the sum of the individual parts.

Seems to be an oxymoronic statement.!!!

More of on atmospheric doom metal journey with a slow start and thunderous end rather than death core. Honestly i loved this album inspire of my hate towards 6+ minutes length tracks. 'Beyond the Passage of Embers' is an epic.

Written by metalbrat on 17.12.2022 at 16:59

Seems to be an oxymoronic statement.!!!

Let me make this more clear then: I think the musicianship here is pretty good, but besides the prue craft everything else is pretty formulaic to me. This also has not changed after a couple more spins, unfortunately.

Read this
https://noobheavy.com/album-review-kardashev-liminal-rite/

Great album! Love the atmosphere