ALBUM REVIEW: Serpent & Spirit – Urne
In 2018, London-trio URNE released one of the heaviest and promising EPs of the year. The Mountain Of Gold picked at scabs of what the metal scene was missing and took it into their own shoulders to deliver. Three years have passed and those who saw the potential of the band, which came from the ashes of HANG THE BASTARD, have sat in a trance-like anticipation ready for their next move. Now, the wait is over as the band release their debut full-length, Serpent & Spirit.
Opening the album with its title-track, URNE kick things off with an unearthly melody, reminiscent of old-school METALLICA era. From there, it quickly launches into a barrage of heavy riffs filled with thrash, post-metal and hardcore elements that accompany Joe Nally‘s powered vocals in an effortless manner.
There’s a lot of sectional changes in the songs on this album, the sky is the limit for their sound as it comes with no definitive stamp on genre, but at no point does it halt or jitter. URNE appear to have this level of bond when it comes to playing together that means that whenever these changes do come round, the sound flows with no drama, despite at times being total 360’s. It’s no surprise to hear how the trio carry one another in sound so well considering their experience of playing music together in the past.
The Palace Of Devil & Wolves and Memorial are fine examples of this ability to switch things round with no momentary lapses in judgement. Originally, there’s this very crossover thrash-esque vibe that goes on in sound, particularly in The Palace Of Devil & Wolves, but being able to swiftly move into more mellowed dynamics in terms of instrumentation before jumping back is a skill. Again, Memorial has that thrash vibe with the tone of the guitars, but then it shifts into a progressive style like it had been there all along, the band somehow making the pair work stylishly together, until again, going back into that thrash punch.
If there’s one thing that really brings this album to life, besides the multitude of genre influences and musicianship, it’s the sheer power that each member of URNE bring to the table. There is a constant force behind every note and every lyric that Nally spits. Desolate Heart is where the album feels at its most dangerous, at over 8-minutes long, there is no point where it gives way. Classic metal styled melodies infused with thrash riffs, even the hints of NWOBHM that creep in alongside the vocal performance of the album, this has everything and seeing how elegantly the band piece things together like a jigsaw is astounding to experience.
Aforementioned, Desolate Heart holds Nally to his vocal performance of the album, but through the entire album, there is this richness that is held in his delivery that oozes raw emotion. Memorial – Sing Me To Rest is another example of getting this point across. Throughout the album, there’s been more of a thrash-influence on the album, minus the ALICE IN CHAINS vibe of Envy The Dead, but Memorial – Sing Me To Rest is a post-rock/metal beauty. There’s a tortured soul in Nally‘s vocals, from his whispers to his shrieks of pain. How Angus Neyra [guitars] and Richard Harris [drums] accompany this powerhouse of anguish is an incredible blend of distorted melancholy, and serves as a true testament to their own personal skills.
Even without all of the things that make the album just that little bit more special, such as the beautiful melodies and twangs of raw emotion, URNE have been able to piece together something that is pretty bold. Serpent & Spirit is light and dark at the same time, and in its hands holds everything you could want or need as a fan of metal. They have packed so much into each track, yet nothing is overcrowded or a bit ‘too much’. The quality of balance on the album is of a remarkable level and cannot be disputed. In no means is it a perfect release, but it’s very rare you get to hear a debut offering that puts its heart and soul onto the table in such a way as URNE have done, ultimately leading to something truly magical.
Rating: 9/10
Serpent & Spirit is out now via Candlelight Records.
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