The Pitch: Instrumental post-metal from Belgian band Terraformer releases their new album via Dunk! Records and Time as a Color. FFO Russian Circles, North, Astronoid, Telepathy
What I Like: Mineral is a luxuriant fabric of an album; featuring intricate needlework of driving power chords, mind-expanding effects pedals, and crisp drumming. People who critique the actual quality of my writing will complain about my overuse of this metaphor, but this lighter, loftier style of post-metal (as opposed to darker groups like Neurosis) always makes me think of floating through the clouds. I dare you to listen to this and not picture yourself, big and bad as you may be, giggling like a child as you ride f#@king Falcor through the sky. But none of this is to say that Terraformer can't also get heavy. Like Russian Circles, compositions can get stormy with thunderous bass grooves and clashing cymbal lighting strikes ("The Ether Shell").
What I Don't Like: Terraform are clearly adept songwriters that have put in a lot of work to get to this point. The only constructive criticism I have for them is to find ways to put a signature to their sound. A lot of these bands sound alike, so if they really want to make a name for themselves, it's time to answer the question "what can we offer that no one else does?"
The Verdict: If you were blown away by 2016's Air, are looking forward to the follow-up to 12 Areas, or even just want to explore the lighter aspects of Deftones; Mineral is a beautiful journey worth taking.
Flight's Fav's: Penelope, Epoch, Aegean