ALBUM REVIEW: Radiant Bloom – Astronoid
As one of the more unique sounding bands within the heavy music space, Boston’s ASTRONOID have struck a chord with many thanks to their hypnotic blend of progressive metal, shoegaze and post-rock. 2019’s self-titled effort was heralded as one of the year’s standout records, one in which firmly established the band as a musical treasure. Now, three years later, the band are back with album number three; Radiant Bloom.
Where 2019’s self-titled saw the band full embrace a more lucid dreamscape to their sound, Radiant Bloom very much feels like the next logistical step for the ASTRONOID journey. The soundscape is engulfing, the serenity is rife. This is the sound of a band that are becoming fully comfortable in their aural environment. Admin kicks off the record in the grandest of fashion as a stellar production job allows the band’s big sound to hit effectively whilst Brett Boland‘s stunning vocals cut through the noise like a hot knife through butter. It’s a stellar start and one that showcases the glistening quality within the ASTRONOID repertoire.
From there, the quality continues to glisten and you quickly realise just how special this band are. Sleep Whisper boasts some truly gorgeous guitar-play from Boland and Casey Aylward that makes you look inwards to oneself whilst I’ve Forgotten Your Face boasts some exemplary vocal work from Boland which makes a true and meaningful lasting connection. There’s such an alluring sense of calmness and tranquillity across Radiant Bloom, one in which ASTRONOID conjure and maintain with the utmost ease. From Drown‘s shimmering of fragile beauty to the soaring Human, where the punchy rhythm and dazzling guitars counter Brett Boland‘s angelic vocals ever so well. In fact, it is this projection of aural tranquillity where ASTRONOID truly excel.
Whilst Radiant Bloom definitely sees the band further depart from their more metallic roots, there are still moments of heaviness to be found throughout the album’s runtime. From Eyes‘ thrashy riffing, which really helps inject some adrenaline into proceedings, and a devilishly slick solo to boot, Sedative is a high-octane endorphin kick with thrashing riffing and a powerful display from Matt St. Jean behind the drumkit, whilst album closer Decades blends all of the band’s expansive influences, as atmospherics collide with hefty crashes of St. Jean‘s drums and dense riffing to forge one epic sequence where they hit new heights across the weighty seven minute runtime. As far as album finales go, it doesn’t get much better than this.
With Radiant Bloom, ASTRONOID have delivered an album of jaw-dropping quality. With the immersion never shattered, on album number three, the band have presented an album that is as relatable as it is truly riveting to experience. Like a warm embrace on a winter’s day, Radiant Bloom is a truly comforting and magnificent listening experience and one that will have you going to press repeat time after time.
Rating: 9/10
Radiant Bloom is set out now via 3DOT Recordings.
Like ASTRONOID on Facebook.
