Inner Landscape – 3H33
Inner Landscape – 3H33
Klonosphere Records
Release Date: 17/05/24
Running Time: 33.40
Review by Oli Gonzalez
8/10
Inner Landscape. French post-atmospheric sludge comparing their sound to the likes of Cult Of Luna, The Ocean, and Isis. A tall order to compare oneself to such Post-Metal royalty. Especially for a band releasing their first studio album “3H33”, via Klonosphere Records. Given that I’m a huge fan of Post-Metal nowadays, my expectations were high.
First impressions; these guys can play! Very well! That comparison to Cult Of Luna is well justified. The song structures seem to defy all typical conventions and you’re constantly left guessing which direction you’ll be led down. Forget typical 4/4 rhythms. There’s layers of subtle complexity to this portion of the music, offering an aesthetically pleasing pulse and rhythmic quality to you. Melodically, there’s deceptively complex patterns and high quality compositional ideas weaving together intricately to create a fine tapestry of Post-Metal. Whether this be through more ambient and melodic passages, through to skull crushing heavy riffs that will incite a frenzy of headbanging.
The clever use of background synths on occasion add a much welcome dimension to the mix. It’s clear the guys have done their homework and know their way round the studio. Though, the production can seem a little thin at times and I’d love the guitars to be a little more crushing and sharper. As well as bringing out the best of each instrument.
The vocals of Gachet are consistently heavy, maintaining a fierce mid-range growl. Though this creates a problem of maybe being too one-dimensional and not offering anything of fresh stimulus. Could some cleans be incorporated into the next release?
I refer to the album as a whole because, to be honest, no song really stands out to me. That’s either a criticism or general observation. In any case, some things are best enjoyed in their entirety. I’m sure you’ll have that experience with “3HEE”. Though I would challenge Inner Landscape to look for those major hooks, crescendos, and selling points in their music on future releases. Whether that be a solo, breakdown, blazing chorus; anything that’s going to make a song stand out and provide that much needed earworm. With this being said, this is certainly a pleasing debut effort, and there’s certainly promising signs for the future of the band. This belongs in the audio library for self-respecting fans of Post-Metal.
TRACKLISTING
01. The Order Of Things
02. Collective Dissonance
03. Old Ghosts
04. Unexpressive Fall
05. Wreckage
06. 3H33
LINE-UP
Gachet Julien: Vocals/Guitars
Covalciuc Alexandre: Guitars
Bétencourt Thibaud: Bass
Bernet Adrien : Drums
LINKS
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