This album might be called The Last Day of the Sun, but I would argue it's more like the first day of a new chapter of celebration. The band is back, and their fuming, fiery mouths haven’t missed a beat. If anything, they’ve come back stronger, sharpened by the years of forced silence, and the results are nothing short of impressive. What stands out the most on this album is the way they’ve evolved their sound, blending the raw, unrelenting energy of doom and thrash with new layers of depth and sophistication.
One of the most striking additions to their style is the incorporation of clean vocals. These moments of clarity serve to give the album an emotional range that wasn't as pronounced before. The clean vocals are often the focal point of the lyrics, and their clarity brings an added weight to the music—whether it's invoking a chilling sense of dread or providing a moment of cathartic relief, the impact is palpable. These moments are carefully crafted, ensuring that the emotional landscape of the album feels more fleshed out and nuanced.
The band also plays with choral backing vocals on certain tracks, which adds a rich texture to the sound. These additional layers help expand the sonic palette, creating a fuller, more immersive listening experience. The bass, in particular, deserves special mention—it's tuned so low and so sludgy that it practically drips with heaviness. It’s played with great precision, adding a menacing, almost palpable weight to the music that complements the thunderous guitars.
And speaking of the guitars—wow. They’re crisp, fiery, and full of swagger, delivering riffs that are slick and groovy with just the right amount of grit. There’s an undeniable energy that bursts through in every riff, every solo, driving the album forward with a ferocity that keeps you hooked.
However, the mix does have its flaws. At times, it can be hard to hear the drums clearly. The rhythms themselves are solid—simple, but with some interesting fills scattered throughout the album—but they occasionally get a bit drowned out by the wall of sound surrounding them. While this doesn’t completely detract from the experience, it does leave you wishing for just a little more clarity in the percussion.
All in all, The Last Day of the Sun marks a triumphant return for the band. They've honed their craft during their hiatus, blending the familiar elements of doom and thrash with new layers of emotional and sonic complexity. It’s an album that feels both familiar and fresh, a testament to their growth as musicians.
RATING: 9/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
Out Of Time
The Silence Beyond Life
I'll Find You
Last Day Of Sun