The Healer

SUMACs fifth official studio album is, like their previous efforts, a lengthy, ambitious, patience-requiring work that pushes metal to its furthest limits. The trio of guitarist/vocalist Aaron Turner, drummer Nick Yacyshyn, and bassist Brian Cook construct highly complex, multi-part pieces that challenge conceptions of musical structure. The opening minutes of the 26-minute "World of Light" veer from visceral, down-tuned guitar sludge and scattered, chaotic drumming to balancing on a long thin wire for several minutes, building up to the arrival of Turners vast, guttural growl. His poetic lyrics signal unity and ascension from a damaged, dystopian society, and the music illustrates this premise, erupting in fits of destruction, crawling through barren stillness, then ultimately reaching a glorious rebirth. "Yellow Dawn" is relatively compact at 12 minutes, starting out with droning organ (played by Faith Coloccia) and followed by trudging riffs for several minutes before breaking free with twisted tempos, piercing guitar feedback, and an almost psychedelic sheen. "New Rites," another of the albums shorter tracks, has Turners most strained singing, as he sounds like hes gasping for air during the conclusion. "The Stones Turn," another nearly half-hour epic, has a bit more contrast than the others, with a shouted segment that sounds like an invocation, and more frequent chaotic bursts and stop-start tempo switches. SUMAC can never be boxed into one category -- there are sludgy riffs, free jazz improvisation, searing noise, and drone elements, all of which are masterfully employed at unexpected intervals. The Healer is an emotionally draining experience, like all of SUMACs other releases, but it reaches transcendence in a unique and powerful way. ~ Paul Simpson

元アイシスのアーロン・ターナー率いるトリオの5作目は、結成10周年の節目を飾るのに相応しい超強力作だ。ポスト・メタル/スラッジ・メタルを煮込んだオーガニックなグルーヴは時に激しく、時に静かに突き進み、ここぞ!という場面でピークに達する緊張感は圧巻。全4曲76分、そのうち2曲が約25分に及ぶ大作だが、不定形なヘヴィー曼陀羅はクセになる。
bounce (C)荒金良介