Rannoch's Progressive Death Metal Bursts Aflame on "Conflagrations" (Early Album Stream)
Progressive death metal is an inherently fun genre of pull-offs, complex song structures, and flashy solos that, for all its pretenses, operates at its best when it zeroes in on unadulterated excitement. Its spirit harkens back to metal’s halcyon origins even if the methods have evolved. There is, of course, a balance that must be maintained to circumvent wading into corniness, and the UK’s Rannoch achieve this balance on their newest LP Conflagrations, which is as fun as it is technically impressive, channeling the thrill associated with heavy metal into ever-evolving – but never condescending – compositions. We’re premiering it here before its release this Friday through Willowtip Records.
…
…
Conflagrations is as immediately satiating as it is rewarding on further listens, with enough caverns to upend expectations of where a song should flow. What’s most important is that first element. It’s simply a blast to listen to owing to its high grooves-per-minute ratio. Rannoch may be ambitious songwriters but they’re not fanciful, evident in how they prioritize the present moment through those grooves and sticky riffs. Furthermore, the production leaves nothing veiled and directs attention to those elements. Both men responsible for the production and mixing – guitarist, vocalist, and synth player Ian Gillings and James Stephenson, respectively – prefer a crisp, hands-off touch. The album is busy enough as it is, and their work behind the boards showcases the technicality Rannoch wields.
“Threads” is as ready of a single as a band could produce as it doesn’t reveal too much about album Conflagrations while still displaying Rannoch’s character. It’s a meathead-slamming-weights track, with veiny solos and riffs that hit like pre-workout. There are dabblings of Rannoch’s larger ambitions but they’re mostly salient on “Threads.” The record’s longer cuts have a grander scale but possess the same tenacity. They expand and contract, bending their stature to emphasize key moments. This is especially apparent on the sequence that caps off “Daguerreotype” and the nigh-17-minute closer “Threnody to a Dying Star” which builds off the interlude preceding it to justify its gargantuan size. While it’s always entertaining to witness how progressive metal acts connect their pieces and script larger scenes, Conflagrations is more than just an exercise in pacing. There are the requisite moments of brevity, but Rannoch are in top form when they give into their basal desires for riffs and rhythms.
…
Conflagrations releases July 21st via Willowtip Records.
…
