Antarktis - Ildlaante (EN)

No one can give a description of their music more fitting than the band itself: "Original Sludge / Postmetal Landscapes". Instead of the info sheet, there is a statement from the band for this review, now that is something.

In fact, on Antarctic's debut album "Ildlaante" finest, excessive guitar landscapes ("Svalbard") shape the overall picture in addition to heavy bass-strings ("Aurora"). That is why cross-references to In Mourning are inevitable, as well as to Ghost Brigade in my mind, whenever they press get faster in their plays.

But the guys cannot only play hard, because beside the Sludge portion there are beautiful, extensive passages, in which an instrumental way of post-metal is celebrated in a longing and passionate way. If the singing begins again, the post and sludge parts mix into a grand, dreamy music. This happens without major outbursts or speed shifts, as is known from the post-black metal, so that the disc can breathe with a calm pulse and flow into the listener ("Notes from Underground", "Ildlaante").

In general there are no extreme, brutal features on "Ildlaante", which can also be seen in the durations of the individual pieces. The opener "Aurora" is the shortest of the six songs with its 7:26 minutes. But this length is also something the songs need to be able to work. But I do not mean that they do not come around, but that the part, which is usually used as a middle part, can build up the mood better in this calm way than when it were hastily played away in a minute. This way the listener must take his time for the music.

The production is crystal clear and leaves nothing to be desired. Each instrument is at its best and the mixing and mastering knows how to show this off perfectly.

Conclusion:
Time is the defining element here. The band exists since 2013 (in the beginning as a side project) has put together the six songs to a wonderful gem, each song having its own time to mature and to work. Therefore "Ildlaante" is best for longer evenings, in which not too much riot affects the listening pleasure.

Rating: 9/10

Recommendation: Svalbard, Ildlaante, Cape Meteor Pt. 1