ALBUM REVIEW: Albero – S A R R A M

Albero by S A R R A M is an opus of doom, drone, post-rock, electronica and ambience which consists of eight lengthy tracks. The soundscapes created here are varied and interesting, making this a must-listen for all fans of drone and dark ambience.

From the first track, it becomes apparent that this album presents drone metal with a storyline. It’s a far cry from SUNN O))) (a necessary comparison as forerunners of a pretty sparse genre), making use of synth, glockenspiel, mandolin and kalimba in order to create similarly heavy and oppressive atmospheres which SUNN O))) does with guitars. There are also guitars present, but it’s the moments without them that really take your breath away.

The opening of track two, The Sound Of A Needle, casts piercing yet delicate noises into the air before bringing in a warm guitar tone to build the song towards its devastating conclusion. The pacing on this album is incredible – each section melts into the next with little fanfare, not rushing anything, but more growing into the next sound. It’s incredibly organic, poetic and emotive, building each layer towards the inevitable conclusion.

Diving Deep, by contrast, begins with a single guitar tone. Whilst the layering of the sound builds, it’s the gaps between each strum which make this track sing. A chord rings out, allowing the listener to explore the different textures it makes as each sound fades. Before long, we’re into another ambient break, allowing the song to breathe and get a feel for the differing sections without any outstaying their welcome. It’s a very deep and intense sound journey, a dark and dynamic ceremony of frequencies that we get in this track, dark yet hopeful. 

The album’s name translates to ‘tree’, which is unsurprising given how full of wonder, majesty and marvel this album feels. There’s also elements of terror, fear and sublimity at the expansive and unknowable power of nature. 

Overall, some drone purists might attack this release for skipping around too often between sections, but it’s not something which ultimately detracts from the stellar soundscapes and atmospheres S A R R A M have managed to craft throughout this release. This is drone with a story, and it’s one you should definitely be interested in listening to. And, as closing track The Far Side Of The Moon rings out, with the pulsing sound of noise and marimbas, it’s clear that this story’s message is one of hope and mystery. 

Rating: 9/10

Albero is out now via Subsound Records.

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