ALBUM REVIEW: Epigone – Wilderun

Progressive metal maestros WILDERUN have progressed in leaps and bounds in recent years, getting snapped up by Century Media Records and allowing them to bring further exposure to their heavily applauded Veil Of Imagination album. Whilst they may not have been able to capitalise on this as much as they would have liked due to the ongoing pandemic, they have decided to keep the ball rolling with the release of follow-up Epigone this January 7th. Will this release set them in good stead for the future?

Exhaler eases you into the record with peaceful acoustic tones, quickly followed by accompanying vocal swathes. The track blissfully glides along in a carefree manner, slowly building in layers with additional orchestral elements. Woolgatherer continues the calming mood but possesses a more dramatic prose that leaves you feeling slightly tense. Before you know it there is a sudden surge of vivid colours and evocative melodies. The track keeps you guessing as it traverses through varying levels of intensity, including a flourish of aggressive growls and powerful blast beats. The lyrical narrative keeps you gripped throughout its passages as you wait with heightened intrigue as to where it may lead.

Passenger takes a dark, theatrical turn with exhilarating instrumentation hitting you from every angle. The twisting and turning momentum lures you in as you are unable to resist its tempting yet ominous charms. The vocal choir adds an extra dynamic to proceedings as the energy levels frantically spike at a moment’s notice. Identifier maintains the sprightly pacing with intricate riff work and mesmerising arrangements that are bursting with emotion. There are still pockets of tranquillity interspersed between the unpredictable chapters, allowing you to catch your breath for a moment. Ambition is quite a perplexing interlude, filled with rumblings and fragmented voices that proves to be little more than a stopgap between the previous instalments and the arrival of the conceptual collective known as Distraction.

Distraction I commences with a steady, effective riff that oozes with enticing grooves. Neat lead work begins to seep in alongside lively orchestration. Towards the latter stages another burst of frenetic drumming and vicious vocal work is unleashed. This heavier mentality cascades into Distraction II, which charges into an adrenaline-fuelled stream of potent energy that possesses significant bite. After the descent into chaos, Distraction III provides a period of soothing tones and an opportunity for reflection before gearing back up again. The positive, uplifting mood is incredibly cathartic, almost like escaping a dark cloud and wandering into the beaming sunlight. Distraction Nulla doesn’t let you get too comfortable however, as it delves into bewildering anarchy, bordering on the extreme side of the metal spectrum which is something we have not experienced from WILDERUN before. Could this be a sign of things to come?

Epigone continues to build on the impressive foundations laid down by Veil Of Imagination and broadens their experimental horizons with a wealth of vivid textures and meticulously crafted intricacies that take an amazing amount of talent and precision to coordinate. WILDERUN have displayed that their creativity knows no bounds and that they are just as comfortable with idyllic melodies as they are with exhibiting their fierce, grittier side. Hopefully, 2022 will allow them to reap the benefits of their hard work.

Rating: 9/10

Epigone is out now via Century Media Records.

Like WILDERUN on Facebook.