Radiant Bloom

Much has been made of Astronoids composite of styles, which fuses black metals volume and precision with the soft ambience of shoegaze and the steady repetition of post-rock. Since debuting in 2016, the Boston combo has leaned more heavily into one element or another, learning what works and subtly refining their own custom hybrid. Radiant Bloom is their third full-length and first for 3Dot Recordings, a label owned and operated by djent pioneers Periphery. It is also their most satisfying record, saturated with sighing, wistful melodies, electrifying intervals, and a jagged mountain range of crescendos. Astronoids lineup has shifted somewhat with the departure of guitarist Mike DeMellia and the return of drummer Matt St. Jean, who was absent on their 2019 eponymous release. Self-produced and highly focused, Radiant Bloom hits all of its marks definitively and runs the full gamut of what this band is known for. There is the glacial build of the epic opener "Admin" which gives way to the nervous, racing energy of "Eyes." The massive, riffy "Sleep Whisper" and its frenetic partner "Sedative" represent Astronoids heaviest components, reminding listeners why, in spite of their more ethereal aspects, they will always have a home in the metal community. "Ive Forgotten Your Face" is a quintessential Astronoid cut in which all of their disparate layers are stacked on top of each other like a palimpsest. Brett Bolands high, airy vocals effuse sleepy dream pop charm amid a forest of overdriven guitars as the rhythm section gradually plays with the songs time signatures until the parts are suddenly all smashed together in a cloud so dense it almost washes out. "Orchid" is more consistently paced, though no less thrilling in its cascade of crystalline harmonies and punishing tempo. "Human," another highlight, reaches a point of almost ecstatic effervescence before the seven-minute "Decades" seals the deal and closes out the set. Thematically, Boland has stated that Radiant Bloom is emblematic of humanitys struggles to succeed and cope with competing notions of chaos, boredom, and everything in between. With their wide tonal range and multi-dimensional sound, Astronoid manage to live in that sweet spot where joy, struggle, and desperation collide. ~ Timothy Monger