While Manchester's musical heritage is the envy of many a city, spanning decades and genres, metal has never really raised it's head much above the industrial parapet, although that's about to change. From within the confines of the city and surrounding areas, a plethora of extreme talent gathers, producing some of the most intelligent and innovative metal music around.
Take, Spires and debut album " Spiral of Ascension" released in November last year. Incorporating progressive elements, Paul Sadler - guitar / vocals, Paul Cuthbert - guitar, Alex Jolley - bass and Chris Barnard on drums have produced a melodic masterpiece. While hinting towards Opeth, Mastodon or Emperor territory, a real calm pervades the ether, the guitars swooping and soaring, accompanying Sadler's predominantly wraithlike vocal. On the occasions he incorporates the more metallic rasp, still restrained, never overtly invasive, "
The Infinite Descent" a case in point.
"The Broken Hourglass," "Martyr" and title track "
Spiral of Ascension" extend past the ten minute mark, highlighting not only the technical ability of the players within Spires, also a complete aptitude for holding the attention, tempo and mood changes abound, if ever metal could be called relaxing, this is it. "Spiral of Ascension" is an album you can become completely lost within..... epic certainly, although unpretentious..... magnificent, whilst still being modest and utterly accessible, transcending the progressive metal genre.
Spires are currently touring with another of UK metals current crop of monoliths, Talanas, having two dates at The Joiners Arms in Southampton and The Peel in Kingston-Upon-Thames prior to appearances at Bloodstock Festival. Definitely ones not to miss.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qwUjTEz148
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