Northumbria - Northumbria
Northumbria is a Drone/Ambient Metal band based out of Toronto, Canada who have recently unleashed a new album of sonic droning sound-scapes from their self titled offering. For those used to groups like Sunn O))) or Lustre will understand how each track- nearly ten minutes long- carries a majestic beauty within its rather repetitive sound. The traditional Metalhead probably will find this boring as most of this music is ambient with no vocals, no drums- it is all guitars and keyboards. Some are foreboding and haunting with a grim atmosphere like "Lux Lunae," feeling like it took cues from Wrest Of Leviathan's ambient tracks on the depressive side of Black Metal. Other pieces like "Windhorse" are a bit livelier but still hold an air of twisted haunting atmosphere, though the overall sound is more organic and something to meditate to. "Black Sea Of Trees" is the loudest of all, though by louder the band just adds more distortion to make the high pitched wailing of the guitars sound amped up. This thirteen minute epic warbles back and forth between industrial droning and atmospheric sci-fi drifting; it takes a patient ear to be able to sit through it all. Finally there is "Sanctuary" which is one of the more mellow pieces here. Less focused on the guitar distortion and aiming more for lulling keyboards with plinks of guitar here and there, it is a nice way to close the album and for listeners to settle out, especially if they feel bored by this point. Overall, the atmosphere on Northumbria is excellent- it is a perfect soundtrack to just sit on a hill and watch nature and relax. It isn't quite technical or super flashy or something that will drive a mosh pit; most will think anyone could make an album like this. Still, it takes a certain mind and certain patience to craft atmosphere, and this album does it quite well.
1. Lux Lunae
2. Threnody
3. Windhorse
4. Black Sea Of Trees
5. Sanctuary
2. Threnody
3. Windhorse
4. Black Sea Of Trees
5. Sanctuary
