Friday, May 11, 2012

Light Bearer - Celestium Apocrypha: Book of Watchers

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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