Cult of Luna - A Dawn to Fear
Who Are Cult of Luna
From Umeå, Sweden, Cult of Luna are a Post Metal band comprised of:
Johannes Persson - Guitars and Vocals
Magnus Lindberg - Drums and Studio-Engineering
Andreas Johansson - Bass
Fredrik Kihlberg - Guitars and Vocals
Kristian Karlsson - Keyboard and Vocals
Thomas Hedlund - Drums and Percussion
Discography
There is something unique about Post Metal. The likes of Neurosis, ISIS and Cult of Luna have discographies that are flawless, and as each enter (ed) the twilight years, the quality of releases has not been compromised. Many may argue that Wavering Radiant was the most varied and perfectly executed ISIS record, Neurosis tore my heart out with Honor Found in Decay, and now Cult of Luna may just have released their best work.
Organic
A Dawn to Fear is less polished than Mariner and less mechanical than Vertikal (by design). This album sounds like the band were free to explore in the studio, it has a live feel to it, and when you add the organs to the mix - the album is an organic beast. From all accounts the writing and pre production was spontaneous, which was somewhat of a different approach for the band.
Production
Recorded at Ocean Sound Recordings in Norway, which, as the name suggests, is located right by the coast, far from the nearest town. CoL have developed a signature sound, which is equally eery, breathtaking and downright gorgeous. The album sounds great, and through a nice set of headphones there are nuances that can picked apart (the sounds at the start of The Fall that accompany the guitar is so damn sad). Everything is in its right place, and there is not a wasted moment to be found. For an album approaching an hour and a half - it is a marvellous achievement.
Highlights
It is difficult to pinpoint one moment in an album packed full of twists and turns and moments that expel so many different moods and emotions. Nightwalkers is an eleven minute track that opens in an unassuming fashion, rumbling bass line and repetitive guitar patterns. In true CoL fashion, the song weaves through a course of tension, release and bitter frustration - you know something is around the corner - and it will be worth it. The slabs will cease at some point and shift into the night - the dark - the helpless. At 5.05, it comes: I never thought I would hear Cult of Luna break into a dance step - think the types of boot scootin dances you see at saloons in old musicals.
Concept
Since The Beyond, CoL have approached each album with a concept and picture in mind beforehand. It was a deliberate, methodical and conscious process. For this album, the band tried something different. They let their creation take them where it needed to go, and the result is something more personal; it is heartfelt in places and more honest and true than anything they have done before. There is a story to be told here, whether it is fearing a new dawn due to the pain of the current one; or a wider type perspective of a world on the brink. Brilliant !
Artwork
I love what they have done here. Each album has a unique feel to it, through the concept, approach to craft and artwork. Mariner was full of colour - it was bright and searing, and Vertikal represented the mechanical and industrial leanings of Metropolis. A Dawn to Fear is solemn, and the cover reflects something lacking structure, emotion or hope - it’s all mood. If it is a painting of the world then it is bleak and ruined. If it is a wrecked pupil reflecting some sort of black hole then I would fear the next dawn as well. You know it could just be a very old and decayed Pacman.
Video
Purchase
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https://twitter.com/cultofluna_off
WOW!
A Dawn to Fear is a monster of an album, not just in length but in terms of its approach, its sound, emotion and how it takes you to so many exciting and new places. CoL are surprising us again and again! They are not afraid of a new dawn, and if we continue to get music like this from them, then we have something to look forward to.
A Dawn to Fear goes straight into the Rolling Top Ten of 2019 and edges out O.R.k - Ramagehead.