Dirge Wings of Lead Over Dormant Seas
Equilibre Music - EM 012 September 24, 2007
By Wayward_Son
The last time yours truly visited with Dirge, it was to review the re-release of the bands 2004 monster, And Shall the Sky Descend. While decent, it failed to separate Dirge from the crowd of worshippers currently attempting to dethrone Neurosis. However, it did show promise.
Three years later, Dirge has delivered a gargantuan hammer blow. Wings of Lead Over Dormant Seas is a double CD release of potent atmospheric sludge. Unfortunately, Faithful Reader, this review will only concentrate on the first of the pair. Equilibre Music apparently will make all of us purchase the double album to hear the second CD. The first of the duo consists of five songs ranging in length from about three minutes to almost twenty. The CD that no one will hear until it is in hand is the hour-long title track.
As for the initial half of Wings of Lead Over Dormant Seas, we get more brutal, pulsating rhythms, sparse soundscapes, a combination of tortured and smooth sung vocals, and one hell of an exhausting journey. Dirge has certainly learned quite a lot in three years, and has obviously been playing some Isis and Neurosis, as opener 'Meridians', can clearly tell. From the word Go, it is pummeling its sonic power into your brain, Faithful Reader. The best part of the song is that Dirge is able to keep so many sounds going at once, yet none of them are overbearing, and all have the same intent at any given moment.
The album loses some steam after the brutal opening with the short intermission of 'End, Infinite', and the somewhat derivative 'Epicentre'. 'Lotus Continent' brings back the power Dirge is able to deliver, with the song being another notch on an impressive album. However, the band saves the best surprise for last. Closer 'Nulle Part' can almost be called Jesu worship. Just beautiful soundscapes, a slow rhythm and cleanly sung vocals for over seven minutes ends the first CD of Wings of Lead Over Dormant Seas.
This writer was not surprised by the magnitude of this release. Dirge was obviously talented enough to create this fine music, they just needed the proper time and for all the pieces to fall into place. However good the album may be, the truth is that Dirge will go unnoticed to most. If you have even the smallest appreciation for what Isis, Neurosis, or Jesu are doing these days, Wings of Lead Over Dormant Seas will please you. Dirge may not be premier league quite yet, but an album away from true greatness, they are.
Official Dirge Website
Official Equilibre Music Website
Equilibre Music - EM 012 September 24, 2007
By Wayward_Son
The last time yours truly visited with Dirge, it was to review the re-release of the bands 2004 monster, And Shall the Sky Descend. While decent, it failed to separate Dirge from the crowd of worshippers currently attempting to dethrone Neurosis. However, it did show promise.
Three years later, Dirge has delivered a gargantuan hammer blow. Wings of Lead Over Dormant Seas is a double CD release of potent atmospheric sludge. Unfortunately, Faithful Reader, this review will only concentrate on the first of the pair. Equilibre Music apparently will make all of us purchase the double album to hear the second CD. The first of the duo consists of five songs ranging in length from about three minutes to almost twenty. The CD that no one will hear until it is in hand is the hour-long title track.
As for the initial half of Wings of Lead Over Dormant Seas, we get more brutal, pulsating rhythms, sparse soundscapes, a combination of tortured and smooth sung vocals, and one hell of an exhausting journey. Dirge has certainly learned quite a lot in three years, and has obviously been playing some Isis and Neurosis, as opener 'Meridians', can clearly tell. From the word Go, it is pummeling its sonic power into your brain, Faithful Reader. The best part of the song is that Dirge is able to keep so many sounds going at once, yet none of them are overbearing, and all have the same intent at any given moment.
The album loses some steam after the brutal opening with the short intermission of 'End, Infinite', and the somewhat derivative 'Epicentre'. 'Lotus Continent' brings back the power Dirge is able to deliver, with the song being another notch on an impressive album. However, the band saves the best surprise for last. Closer 'Nulle Part' can almost be called Jesu worship. Just beautiful soundscapes, a slow rhythm and cleanly sung vocals for over seven minutes ends the first CD of Wings of Lead Over Dormant Seas.
This writer was not surprised by the magnitude of this release. Dirge was obviously talented enough to create this fine music, they just needed the proper time and for all the pieces to fall into place. However good the album may be, the truth is that Dirge will go unnoticed to most. If you have even the smallest appreciation for what Isis, Neurosis, or Jesu are doing these days, Wings of Lead Over Dormant Seas will please you. Dirge may not be premier league quite yet, but an album away from true greatness, they are.
Official Dirge Website
Official Equilibre Music Website
