It really is
time that I write something about this; it’s been a couple of weeks now. Light Bearer released the song they recorded for a split LP with Northless a few
weeks ago, ‘Celestium Apocrypha: Book of Watchers’, a 21 minute sprawling and
captivating work of art. Last year’s debut album Lapsus, as you may know, is a
staggering record and was my album of the year. From that album, the band has
expanded upon nearly all of their strengths.
The variety
of vocals are what make this song so special. One time Fall of Efrafa vocalist
Alex has really found a new verve and purpose in this band, slowing his crusty
bellow down to fit the slow, trudging, but altogether uplifting sound of the
band. Meanwhile other members of the band deliver searing complementary vocals
that totally enrich the experience.
Instigating
with a monolithic riff that’s utterly hypnotic in its meandering melody,
‘Celestium Apocrypha: Book of Watchers’ begins dragging you to and fro, from
dense Neurosis-worshipping passages through to a mellow, atmospheric
mid-section with ceremonial clean vocal harmonies. From there the band
exhaustively cling onto you, scaling and scaling to a simply awe-inspiring
close. To say that Light Bearer have the sound of a band that truly feel alive
is a gross understatement.
Where ‘Celestium
Apocrypha’ lies in the concept that the band is exploring in their albums is
unclear, it may be a standalone piece. What is certain though is that this is an
engrossing achievement and new album, Silver Tongue couldn’t come sooner.
The Light
Bearer / Northless split LP is released in June via Halo of Flies, Alerta
Antifascista and Moment of Collapse.
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