ALBUM REVIEW: The Baring Of Shadows – Kardashev
In the wonderful world of metal there are plenty of bands that are pushing the boundaries of just how heavy they can be. To the contrary, there are those that are seemingly trying to do the opposite and aim to create serine bodies of work. However, it is when artists manage to marry the two seamlessly that things get truly interesting and a group that have managed such a feat is KARDASHEV.
Everything about this outfit screams exploration, even down to their name which is a reference to the Soviet astrophysicist Nikolai Kardashev. In the spirit of this, the band have made it their mission to create a mind-bending blend of the textured layers of shoegaze and the relentless heaviness of death metal culminating in their 2020 release The Baring Of Shadows, which is now being re-released via Metal Blade Records complete with the inclusion of instrumental versions of the previously released songs.
From the beautiful opening of A Frame. A Light the band use their multi-faceted writing techniques to create an ever-expanding soundscape. The carefully selected guitar tones play off against the booming drum sound and soulful vocal melodies to sweep the listener away, before flipping the switch and diving straight into an OPETH-inspired death metal section that proves just how capable the boys are of seamlessly shifting dynamics which is a recurring theme throughout the entirety of the release.
The post-rock elements are dialled up for the track Snow Sleep, which is undeniably one of the highlights of the album. The technicality is also taken up several notches with the impressive drum work and intricate riffs providing something for the musical scholars to really sink their teeth in to with constant tempo changes and surgical precision it proves just how diverse their bag of tricks really is. The harsh and melodic vocals intertwine effectively and bridge night and day instrumental switches perfectly, with the listener being kept on their toes throughout.
The song Heartache shows another side to the band. The atmospheric lead guitar hovers over the top of a crushingly heavy, percussive rhythmic riff that is all tied together by guttural death metal vocals. The whole feel of this song is different, with the traditional death metal feeling melding perfectly with the band’s more modern take of mournful, melancholic shoegaze in the latter stages. Once again showing how they can transcend genre and mix all their influences together in a way that never loses its flow or direct impact which is a tremendous challenge and is pulled off flawlessly.
KARDASHEV are not a band that rely on traditional song structures which is one of the most refreshing things about their writing style. The songs are given their own space to breathe and develop naturally without feeling the need to repeat themselves constantly and leaning on choruses and that is the allure of the group. They do nothing that is expected of them and are happy to change course at any given moment and cover some serious ground in the process.
If this is what KARDASHEV are capable of at this point in their career within the space of just four songs, then it is truly exciting to see just how far they can take things on their next full length release, whenever that may be.
Rating: 8/10
The Baring Of Shadows is out now via Metal Blade Records.
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