Cult Of Luna - Vertikal - review
Cult Of Luna - Vertikal - review
Tracklist
01. The One02. I: The Weapon
03. Vicarious Redemption
04. The Sweep
05. Synchronicity
06. Mute Departure
07. Disharmonia
08. In Awe Of
09. Passing Through
10. The Flow Reversed [limited edition bonus]
A review by
R'Vannith January 21, 2013
Supposedly the theme which ties the album together is based on "Metropolis" a 1927 German silent film dealing with a futuristic dystopian society. And the listener is thrown into the very thick of it. You can almost visualize the towering high-rises which block out all natural light and effectively entrap you in a man-made hell and technological cage. Once you're inside there is no leaving as the caustic guitar work severs all connections with the outside and leave you wasting behind bleak walls of atmospheric sludge and surrounds you with the thick fumes of post rock and metal.
The heavy use of synths and dense waves of electronic elements like in the introductory and pulsating track "The One" and the interlude "The Sweep" tie the album together as they are fitted amongst the gradual ascension of grippingly atmospheric passages such as the massive "Vicarious Redemption." Here the ambient elements first take hold and continue to rise up from the shadowed streets of this dystopia, slowly taking form in a well conceived alignment of post and sludge which steadily picks up in tempo and adopts a crushing rhythm.
The hardcore styled clean vocals, coarsely edged shouts and shrill hammering of high-hat and cymbal standout as they are projected within the atmospheric walls and attempt to breach their prison of sludge infused post metal. The drumwork is particularly well performed leading up to some truly climactic moments such as in the final stretch of the aptly titled "In Awe Of" or the rhythmically outstanding "Mute Departure."
Bearing a smoothly digestible sound as a result of a well balanced production, the album makes for an engaging listen. What is polished here in such a competent manner is at once richly diverse and defined, granting each track a ready and memorable distinction. Cult Of Luna has an atmospheric and thematic focus which manifests itself quite nicely in Vertikal.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 9 |
| Production: | 9 |
Comments
Comments:
13
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414 users
 Posts: 669 |
Posts: 669
Since I'm familiar with most of CoL's work, I find this album to be a solid and breath-taking effort. I'm doubtful if it ever tops "Somewhere Along The Highway" or "Salvation" but it's a must-listen for every CoL, especially those who were dissatisfied with "Eternal Kingdom". Good Review as usual. 
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Posts: 2800
Brilliant review, the opening paragraph couldn't be more true, and the fact that CoL still manages to create this haunting atmosphere and keep things fresh separates from the sea of post/sludge bands. I'd easily score a solid 9 and maybe 9+ at some point in the future.
---- He who is not bold enough to be stared at from across the abyss is not bold enough to stare into it himself.
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 Posts: 2311 |
Posts: 2311
Oh yeah, I love dystopias. I checked this out once and it was reaaaaally good at times but I preferred to listen to my own thoughts every now and then; I'll surely give it more listens.
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Posts: 447  |
Posts: 447
Agree with the review 100%. The atmosphere actually evokes the intended emotions/response of the listener. I actually feel the sci-fi vibe and the dissonance. Fantastic album. I've been listening to alot of CoL, and their albums get better with each listen.
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Posts: 1239
Haven't listened yet, but reeeaaally looking forward to my favorite band's newest.
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Posts: 505
Two year ago I watched Metropolis in an argentinian theatre with some musicians playing a soundtrack for the film that they created. Really Satie-Debussyish music with some sci-fi synth elements sparkled there and there. I think this record would've fit some parts of the movie better than that soundtrack. It is a really intense and futuristic record.
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Posts: 3099 Written by Evil Chip on 26.01.2013 at 06:31 I'm not much of a film buff so I haven't seen it, I can count on one hand the number of films I've seen that were made before the 50's. I can honestly say though that this album really gives me the urge to watch Metropolis.
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Posts: 505 |
Posts: 505 Written by R'Vannith on 26.01.2013 at 06:41 You should see it anyways. If you like sci-fi and disthopic stuff you will really enjoy it. This album resembles the movie a lot, or at least the most intense parts.
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Posts: 389 Written by blackmamba on 28.01.2013 at 07:02 Maybe he wanted to give 8.5 to the different parts but rounds everything from 8.0 - 8.4 to 8 and everything 8.5 - 8.9 to 9?
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| Posts: 3099 |
Posts: 3099 Written by Skøllgrim on 28.01.2013 at 09:56 Exactly right 
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