ALBUM REVIEW: Singing For Company – Tiberius
Since their arrival, TIBERIUS have transformed from bright, bushy tailed newcomers into sealing slots at RADAR Festival and Euroblast as well as supporting the likes of TWELVE FOOT NINJA, THE CONTORTIONIST and GALACTIC EMPIRE. The pandemic led them to revise a lot of their promotional options for previous effort A Peaceful Annihilation so they are taking full advantage of getting their shiny new album Singing For Company in front of as many eyes and ears as possible with a string of entertaining music videos. How will this release fare in comparison to their other instalments?
New Revelation commences in impressive fashion, with grandiose orchestral elements that lead the way for addictive rhythmic hooks. The dramatic, theatrical nature gets proceedings off to an intriguing start, neatly topped off with emphatic lead work. Soul Saviour bursts into life with colourful instrumentation that twists and turns in many directions. The majestic melodies courtesy of frontman Grant Barclay provide the ideal accompaniment to the wild and wacky intricacies.
Tip Of The Spear sustains the vibrant technicality, combining with an enticing pacing packed with groove. Don’t be surprised if you’re suddenly uttering “Feed me please my oracle” at random intervals for the foreseeable future. Sublime piano sequences offer another dynamic layer to the narrative.
Mosaic provides quite a stark juxtaposition as bouncy, uplifting tones are met with a poignant lyrical direction. As the lighter mood begins to shift into heavier elements the gravity begins to sink in. Singing For Company offers up a crunchy, alluring flow packed with copious flair. The chorus segment is particularly invigorating and would provide such a fun opportunity for fan participation at future shows. Juggernaut is equally as enticing. A powerful vocal performance effortlessly intertwined with proficient fret acrobatics provides one of this releases highlights.
The Iliad Flow keeps the momentum racing on with a flourish of energetic drum work. The emotive progression and riff based wizardry immediately draw you into the reflective subject matter. Touch The Past opens with a wondrous bagpipe section that effortlessly ties into the impassioned soundscape. Additional vocal prowess from Romy Ouwerkerk (GOLDEN CAVES) brings this euphoric journey to a satisfying close.
It is clear to see that TIBERIUS have a huge amount of talent and skill at their disposal, but one element that particularly stands out about Singing For Company is their clever use of the ‘less is more’ approach, allowing for some breathing space for the many dynamics at work. There is still a generous helping of impressive instrumentation on display but the flow feels more measured on this outing and this certainly works in its favour. Their flair and enthusiasm are incredibly infectious and make their compositions a pleasure to experience.
Rating: 9/10
Singing For Company is out now via self-release.
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