The Angry Scotsman Noisy, psychedelic post metal

It took a few listens for this album to grow on me, but what a great experience when it finally did. Atmospheric, sometimes lengthy, songs that often start light and melodic, building to a sonic pummeling and filled with layered synths, tribal drumming and droning, echoing vocals.

Minsk obviously worships at the church of Neurosis, and the influence is quite evident. The building, atmospheric songs, extremely sludgey guitars, strained singing (though sometimes clean)but there is some more to it. There is heavy use of synths and not just some filler, but very prominent in the songs, often layered. The vocals have an echo on them and are layered as well at times, this all gives the album a very dense, bludgeoning feel. However, it also adds a psychedelic feel that I havn't personally seen in any other post metal band. The tribal drumming, echoing vocals and occasional "trippy" guitar also add to the feel.

Oh, there's also some saxophone for a nice bonus, (courtesy of Bruce Lemont from Yakuza).

The album is 59 minutes long and composed of 6 songs, 3 over 13 minutes in length, the others under 6 minutes (acting as nice transitions between the epics). The long songs rise and fall over their journeys in true post metal fashion. The end of the 15 and a half minute "Ceremony Ek Stasis" is a doom metal dirge, but damn it made me rock so hard that my shirt was saturated from sweat.

This album is heavy, dense, crushing yet also hypnotic. Let it sink in and drift through its trippy, powerful and emotional songs.

Four Stars

UMUR The Ritual Fires of Abandonment is the second album from US, Illinois based experimental/ post metal act Minsk. The album was released on Relapse Records who must be considered one of the leading record companies when it comes to signing experimental metal bands ( Mastodon, Cephalic Carnage, Nile...etc.).

Allthough Minsk probably kneel at the altar of Neurosis before they go to bed at night there´s much more to their music than just being a clone of the masters. What leads my thoughts to Neurosis is the extremely heavy guitars and slow pace, but especially the almost tribal drumming which dominates the album. A band like Pelican also comes to mind because of the melodic touch and the long slow building almost post rock like parts which are also a big part of the album. The psychadelic side of their music is mostly created by the monotenous ( which is a positive thing in my world) haunted vocals and especially the clever use of synth.

The music is very atmospheric and I really enjoy the dark and haunted mood that Minsk create. There are six songs on the album. Three shorter songs ( about 4-5 minutes each) and three longer songs ( about 13-15 minutes each). The album starts with the 13:48 minute long Embers which sets the mood of the album. Slow building ( but never boring), heavy and psychadelic. White Wings is next and it´s one of the shorter songs on the album. It´s also the most heavy metal influenced song on the album, or rather post hardcore/ metal. White Wings is also the most uptempo song on the album ( It´s mid-pace while most other songs are slow). Mescaline Sunrise is as the title suggests a psychadelic atmospheric track. A mood creator. A pleasant listen after the harsh White Wings. It´s the shortest song on the album with it´s 4:43 minutes. Then on to The Orphans of Piety which is a 14:41 minute long track. Challenging atmospheric post metal. What a great song. It even has a saxophone part which reminded me a bit of how Ulver sounded on Perdition City (2000). Circle of Ashes is almost in Post rock style and kind of a calm before the storm that is the ending 15:39 minute long Ceremony EK Stasis. It´s such a powerful and varied track. Very dynamic with both loud heavy parts and mellow post rock parts. There´s even a kind of latin inspired section with another saxophone part.

The musicianship is excellent. The very basic instrumentation of guitar, bass and drums are done in a way that suggests that more people are playing. Minsk really have the ability to sound grand. The vocals by Tim Mead are very strong wether it´s his normal vocals or his more raw side that shows. Note that there are nothing that resembles growling on this album. The aggressive vocal parts are just angry vocals not growls.

The production is excellent. I especially noted the drum sound which I found very enjoyable but everything sounds great IMO.

The Ritual Fires of Abandonment have the advantage that it should appeal to both post metal and post rock fans. It´s heavy but I´m sure that most post rock fans will find it sophisticated enough to enjoy as well. I´ve had this album lying around for quite a while without really giving it a chance and that´s such a shame because it deserves lots of attention and praise IMO. That error is fortunately corrected now. 4 stars is well deserved and I count on great things from Minsk in the future. Fans of bands like Neurosis, Isis, Pelican, Cult of Luna and other related acts should invest in this album. I´m sure you´ll have yourself a positive surprise. I know I did.