The Pitch: California atmospheric, progressive post-metal/post-hardcore band Wrvth sadly deliver their swansong via Unique Leader Records. FFO: Fallujah, So Hideous, Numenorean
What I Like: Given my love for the band's 2015 self-titled album and subsequent yearning for more material, it broke my heart to learn that this would be Wrvth's final release. But to quote Blade Runner, "The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long," and Wrvth have burned so very very brightly. And thus continues to be the case with No Rising Sun. Despite coming from a very different genre, Warforged's I: Voice is the album I think of the most when listening to this one. Beginning with a foundation of post-metal and post-hardcore instead of death metal, Wrvth go through a similar song construction process; utilizing building materials from the worlds of jazz and progressive music to transcend simple classification. What follows is a cascade of twinkling, shimmering guitars, technically proficient drumming, and distant, tormented post-black howls. Furthermore, and perhaps even more importantly, Wrvth put the same level of passion and genuine emotion into every second of their recording process. You can almost taste the blood, sweat, and tears that went into it, and the result is an absolute wellspring of melancholy and sorrow.
Critiques: The previous album broke up the atmospheric melancholy with almost playful moments of mathcore-infused technicality and blissful melody. In many ways, it reminded me of The Number Twelve Looks Like You's Worse Than Alone. By comparison, No Rising Sun is a much more morose, post-black/post-metal influenced outing. This is appropriate given the grieving overtones of this being the end, but ultimately makes for a less enjoyable listen. I miss the more varied vocals, dynamic songwriting, and moments of saxophone.
The Verdict: "One day everything can be fine and the next it's over...This album is a representation of what this band meant to us, as well as the battles we underwent to keep this band alive. Even in the sound, you can hear a coming of age. All the way from our humble beginnings as Wrath of Vesuvius to this living breathing family we called a band..." Sad to see them go, but this album serves as "a suitable ending, I think."
Flight's Fav's: Pirouette of Hysterics, House of the Centenary, Eventide
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
SUBSCRIBE to our Trench Talk Podcast on iTunes, Castbox, YouTube, and BitChute. You can also like and follow us on the social media of your choice with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and support us on Patreon.