Pineal - smiling cult (c) 2014 self released
Artist....: Pineal
Album.....: smiling cult
Type......: EP
Source....: CDDA
Tracks....: 6
Genre.....: Alternative
Label.....: self released
Catalogue#:
Encoder...: lame 3.98.4
Quality...: VBR kbps / 44.1kHz / VBR
URL.......: http://www.pinealband.com
Tracklist:
----------
1. Theta [3:53]
2. ADL [4:23]
3. Civil Obedience [4:1]
4. Acerbic [5:14]
5. Somatic [4:59]
6. Tides [3:9]
Total:52 MB /
Release Notes:
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https://www.facebook.com/pinealMusic
While prog rock’s roots may have flourished from the humble schools of
Cantebury, the kings of modern progressive metal all hail from the land
of bald eagles, freedom and apple pie. Still, recently there have been
some bands seeking to bring prog back to its spiritual home, while
keeping the contemporary nature of US prog bands, such as Bossk, Light
Bearer and now, Pineal. Based in London, Pineal are a three-piece prog
metal powerhouse that draws from the tutelage of, among others, Melvins
and Tool, channeling the sleaziness of stoner and sludge with an
oppressive, bleak atmosphere. Following a promising demo released earlier
this year, their debut EP, Smiling Cult, sees them taking more influence
from the North American side of prog, as well as some of metal’s distant
relatives.
One of the most striking things upon first listen is the almost (almost)
throwback mood of the record. Smiling Cult has a particularly 90s feel,
embodied by the slow, crawling pace of many of the songs and the
fuzzed-out, jagged riffs held together by thick, bulky bass. It all feels
like it’s coming from a parallel universe where grunge never evolved into
whiny, inoffensive radio rock, and embraced all of its dark, abrasive and
sinister elements instead. Some of the riffs and guitar work call even
further back to post-punk acts like Slint or Killing Joke, with the
intentionally awkward, stumbling riffs lurching forward like a convict in
a drunken stupor.
As impressive as it is for a debut, Smiling Cult is not the most ambitious
record, playing it a little too safe and feeling confined within the
conventional structures of metal as a result. That said, Pineal‘s focus
on conveying atmosphere over the self-indulgent decadence and showboating
of so many modern prog bands is commendable, feeling like more of a fusion
between the sensibilities of post-metal and the musicianship of prog.
Pineal are definitely a band to keep an eye on in the UK scene right now,
and I’m seriously looking forward to how they develop their sound in the
future. These guys could be huge.
http://www.metalblast.net/indie_reviews/indie-wednesday-week-39-2014/#pinealsmilingcult