God Is An Astronaut – Embers
God Is An Astronaut – Embers
Napalm Records
06/09/2024
Running Time: 57:11
Review by Oli Gonzalez
10/10
Post-rock. It’s been a wild and wonderful dive into the genre since discovering bands such as This Will Destroy You, Maybeshewill, and also God Is An Astronaut (GIAA). Hailing from Wicklow, Ireland, it seems only a few minutes ago since I laid ears on anthems such as ‘Forever Lost’ from the bands extensive and impressive back catalogue. Being an instrumental band may present some challenges, yet I had always been amazed at how they inject such emotion and sentiment into each track, saying more without lyrics than they ever could with a vocalist. So, you can imagine my excitement when I was given the opportunity – no, PRIVILEGE – to review their latest effort “Embers”, to be released via Napalm Records! Let’s get into it…
Immediately, I can sense a different musical approach from GIAA during ‘Apparition’. A more riff-laden attack with riffs as voluptuous as they are undeniably heavy. Change is wonderful though, and the band still stay true to their post-rock identity throughout.
Now, time for ‘Falling Leaves’. Seriously, this was absolutely electric! It’s not often I get misty eyed listening to music, but such was the cavernous emotional depth to this track, it’s all I could to do stop all conscious and voluntary thought processes, and breathe this wholesome experience in. I found myself paralysed for several minutes afterwards. There’s just something glorious about the acoustic guitar and sitar interludes, the atmospheric soundscapes … just everything about this pearl! We’re only two tracks in too. How will I cope?
The bar had been set gloriously high now! Still, ‘Odyssey’ delivers with another solid emotionally charged assault on the senses, again leaning into a more sitar-focused melody in parts. In fact, there appears to be a Middle/Southern Asian undertone to large parts of the album. Something I’d personally love to query GIAA on if ever given the chance to.
Some combinations are just made for each other – salt and vinegar, cream and strawberries; pick your analogy. Same here for the piano and guitar duet in ‘Heart Of Roots’. A rather stripped down affair in the middle of the track prioritising sentiment over complexity, this is certainly one that will tug on your heart strings and induce an endorphin release that will make you want to smash the rewind button and revisit again and again!
Time for the album’s title track and longest song ‘Embers’, clocking in at just under 10 minutes. Whilst I preferred the more emotionally charged and atmospheric approach from earlier in the record, I can’t deny that my shoulders and neck were bopping along to those infectious grooves! I’m pretty you would be too. This certainly represents an aspect to GIAA that I hadn’t been aware of, lending a vibe similar to that of Mastadon, Soen or other modern progressive metal acts.
Now time for change of pace. ‘Realms’. This is austere. Mysterious. Intimidating. Designed to stir up feelings of cognitive dissonance, try to imagine a war movie wherein you’ve witnessed scenes of carnage and untold violence. Then the action and cameras slow to a glacial drip in the scenes following, allowing you to the listener process this in a moment of solemn reflection. ‘Realms’ would make the absolute perfect soundtrack to that!
I mentioned how GIAA have lent into much heavier and meaty riffs in this record. ‘Oscillation’ is another fine example of this, with fuzz-laden bass riffs being the sickeningly infectious heartthrob and addictive focal point for large parts, satiating those who love post-rock on the more groovy side.
The album concludes with ‘Prism’ and ‘Hourglass’, two tracks that both offer a much slower minimalistic approach, once again where feeling and optimising each note and making each as crucial as the last is the name of the game. Honestly, the piano passage combined with the violins in ‘Hourglass’ invoked feelings of despair in me. Kind of like being on holiday and you know you’re coming to your last day. You don’t want it to end, but all good things have to. Which speaks volumes about the impact “Embers” has had on me. Whereas I’ll never be able to revisit 2007 and my school trip to Barcelona, I can easily play this album once more…trust me I will…and have done! Multiple times.
I’m not sure what else to say. I honestly cannot fault this album! “Embers” is essential listening for any seasoned post-rock aficionado and newcomer to the genre. A perfect gateway band for me and will serve as that for anybody else looking to dip their toes in the post rock world.
TRACKLISTING
01. Apparition
02. Falling Leaves
03. Odyssey
04. Heart Of Roots
05. Embers
06. Realms
07. Oscilliation
08. Prism
09. Hourglass
LINE-UP
Torsten Kinsella – Guitar, Piano/Synths
Niels Kinsella – Bass
Lloyd Hanney – Drums
Jamie Dean – Guitar, Piano
LINKS
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Oli Gonzalez and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
