Cult Of Luna - Vertikal II (EP) (2013) 320kbps [Gorgatz]

Cult Of Luna - Vertikal II (EP) (2013) 320kbps [Gorgatz]



INFO:

Having only released their most recent LP ‘Vertikal’ in January, the sludge metal gods in CULT OF LUNA have added a secondary EP of off cuts that didn’t make it onto ‘Vertikal’s final track list. Inventively titled ‘Vertikal II’, it consists of three brand new songs and a remix of ‘Vicarious Redemption’, a track that originally featured on ‘Vertikal’ and you’d be forgiven for thinking that it sounds like a weedy and shameless money-grabbing ploy.
Initial impressions are misleading, however. This may be an EP, but it clocks in at 35 minutes and 23 seconds. That’s longer than a lot of full lengths in today’s single-heavy music industry. It must also be pointed out that this isn’t some crappy old garage band who act like they’re top shit when the best they can muster is a poor man’s cover of ‘Tribute’. This is CULT OF LUNA, heirs apparent to NEUROSIS’s fan base and one of the finest bands on the market today.
Their NEUROSIS worship is particularly evident in these three new tracks. If there’s one thing that NEUROSIS do well, it’s knowing exactly when to kill the repetition and move onto something slightly different, all while maintaining a haunting atmosphere that slowly builds into a glorious crescendo. CULT OF LUNA has this technique down to a friggin science. ‘Oro’, ‘Light Chaser’ and ‘Shun the Mask’ all follow this slow-burning, slow-building formula, while the remix of ‘Vicarious Redemption’ is, if anything, better than the original. Justin Broadrick did an absolutely incredible job on it, and has made something truly wonderful that serves as a fitting end to the ‘Vertikal’ saga. The subtle drum & bass underlays. The crisp mix that allows every instrument it’s own opportunity to shine. The distorted vocals. The slight nuances and adjustments here and there that allows the song to really come into its own. It’s a great example of what a band can accomplish when someone other than Ben Weinman does it. Just because you invented DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN doesn’t mean you’re awesome at dance remixes, Weinman. Jesus.
‘Vertikal II’ is nothing outside the box. It’s the same grimy mix, the same building climaxes, the same stoner tempos and the same riffs that cycle endlessly but never seem to get old, but that’s the key. CULT OF LUNA is more than just seven Swedish dudes getting together, getting stoned off their tits and making incredible music. CULT OF LUNA is an example of what true talent can do when it’s allowed to create with no restrictions. ‘Vertikal II’ is the perfect supplement to ‘Vertikal’ and their combined presence results in what is arguably CULT OF LUNA’s finest moment.

Vertikal II definitely shows a different side of Cult of Luna, more electronic, more ambient and on the whole much darker. Justin Broadrick’s remix of the Vertikal track “Vicarious Redemption” is a mind-warp to be sure, while the 12-minute long track “Shun the Mask” is more of what you’d expect from CoL, albeit with some unexpected twists.

Vertikal II is the continuation of our journey into the harshness of the monotone city landscape. The songs were written during the Vertikal-session and we always intended them to be released close to the album. Justin Broadrick‘s remix was not a part of the original plan but since it came out phenomenally good we thought that it would fit perfectly as closer of the whole Vertikal-project.

T R A C K L I S T :

01. O R O -- 07:21

02. Light Chaser -- 06:23

03. Shun The Mask -- 11:59

04. Vicarious Redemption (Remix by Justin K. Broadrick) -- 09:38

Total time: 35:21


Bitrate: 320 k
Genre: Sludge
Subgenre: Atmospheric Post-Metal / Doom / Sludge Metal
Size: 81.70 MB

Credit Goes To Omeiht Of Rockbox