TALANAS 'ASYLUM' REVIEW

 

Uh, oh……here we go, the dreaded “unplugged / acoustic” mini album from a full throated Metal band. Yeah, on occasion it can work, Spires with their “Lucid Abstractions,” released last year, although in general there is a tendency to stay well clear. The secret however to this five track collection from London’s finest extreme gentlemen is simple, although it may be termed ‘unplugged,’ ultimately, this a disturbingly reflective collection of intensely atmospheric songs, utilising acoustic instruments alongside minimalist electric instrumentation.  Of course, at opposite ends of the spectrum to debut album ‘the waspkeeper’s’ “antiphon” or “a fortune worth it’s disguise” although not wholly dissimilar in darkened tone to “elsewhere, but for the giving” or “beloved whore,” B side to the "corpseflower" single. 

 

 

While Talanas influences in complete Metal mode are apparent, My Dying Bride, Opeth, Akercocke for example, those lurking under the surface include David Sylvian, Colin Vearncombe, Fields of the Nephilm and a host of darkly folk artistes.  It’s those which surface from within the tombs of “asylum.”  Ewan Parry and Hal Sindens guitars chime, rather than chop and crunch, Drummer Joe Butterworth and bassist Mark Duffy prove unobtrusive, yet omnipresent, shuffling rhythms and beats providing an understated bedrock for the contiguous eeriness.  Vocals are suitably ghostly, whispered, and multi layered.  Sinden sounding not dissimilar in tone to David Bowie on occasion, especially in the almost spoken passages of “the apostle,” supplemented by the ethereal timbres of Eulogy Media label mate and wife, Beth Ryan.  

 

‘asylum’ proves a triumph of substance over embellishment, the gothic feel of Sisters of Mercy at their most sinister, trapped within an episode of Tales of the Unexpected.  A supernaturally embryonic re-birth of band who knows no boundaries, happy to flaunt their gothic tendencies to the full.  While we await with anticipation the full follow up to ‘the waspkeeper,’ for now, ‘asylum’ satiates our ravenous Talanas hunger.  

' asylum' is released digitally on Saturday February 22nd and TALANAS will provide main support to Dutch avant- garde act The Monolith Deathcult commencing two days later in Brighton.   

24th Feb: The Green Door Store (Brighton)

25th Feb: The Asylum (Birmingham)

26th Feb: Bricklayers (Norwich)

27th Feb: Beat Generator Live! (Dundee)

28th Feb: Lomax (Liverpool)

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