Review: “Lunar” by Below The Stones

Earlier this month West Midlands based Progressive Metal act Below The Stones released their sophomore EP “Solar“, a record offering fretless bass and melodic riffs with soaring vocals and pushing the envelope of technicality without being overbearing. Having reviewed that record and fallen in love with some of its more eccletic and perhaps even eccentric charm we felt that the bands debut was something to be investigated…

Soaked in technical groove riffs with Nu-Metal inspired click-y bass sounds popping like those heard on “The End Of All Things To Come” by Mudvayne, opening cut “Visions Of Vanity” is a real statement piece of a track. The tasteful introduction warms up gradually getting heavier before the first of the caustic unclean vocals rip through the ear drums like a banshee’s wail, finishing clean lines with shriller moments that turn up the dial on the power and aggression. Chugging and raging the deeper uncleans layered underneath the clean parts ensure it hits like a concrete slab to the skull with its sheer power. “Oscillation” follows suit but with more drive, the Death Metal vocal punches adding a weight and gravity to the tune, the illusion of as many as three vocalists created by the dynamics of the bands approach and the result being nothing short of incredible. The final third has a passage that drops out with whispers and warm melody before rising again majestically like a Phoenix above the flames into a fretboard smouldering solo of stunning proportions. Somber and sobering the cinematic soundscape of “Lunar” is breath taking, delicately balanced with ambient sounds and orchestration perhaps showing something that the band may chose to integrate into their sound at a later stage if they decide to follow Architects shining light for inspiration. [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Visions Of Vanity
2. Oscillation
3. Lunar

“Lunar” by Below The Stones is out now and available everywhere you’d expect it to be.