Unhinged, glorious, and grim guitar wizardry. As if As if Negative Plane recorded just outside that cavernous cathedral, or if Enslaved laid off the psychedelics circa Mardraum. Vibrato oddity bends basic chords into bastard aberrations, all the while beset by cries of howling madness and agony. Does not fall into the meandering, pedestrian ruts frequently found in music of this ilk. Hreilia stay far from the prog precipice, relying on skill, sensibility, and sure footing to maintain their balance. Said sensibility often evokes Tribulation, and displays a songwriting purpose and prowess. Esoteric vocal variety reminiscent of Emptiness keeps the undeath lively. Incredible attention to detail in production reveals just what you’d expect to hear when guitars focus on arcane arpeggiations: bass. All told, a wonderful, memorable, and excruciating nightmare.
Out on December 8th via I, Voidhanger Records