AUSTRALASIA

Pelican

Experimental/Post Metal

3.66 | 69 ratings

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Negoba
Prog Reviewer

Prototypical Post-Metal

Post-metal is a combination of sludge metal and post-rock, using low tuned distorted guitars to create atmospheric moods that are often dark and depressing. As in all metal, one of the keys to a good song is the quality of the riffs, and Pelican succeed in executing some great sludge riffs on their debut AUSTRALASIA. The sound of the guitars and the drag of the drums are great. Pelican's music is purely instrumental, which is a good thing. Post-metal vocals, when they appear, are usually barked and harsh and most importantly, distract (at least me) from the moodscape the music creates.

Similarly, creating mood without putting the listener to sleep is one of the keys to good post- rock, and here again Pelican succeeds. AUSTRALASIA does a good job of setting its mood and then balancing between holding and varying the theme. There is movement, but I'm still allowed to drift. There are enough ideas to hold my interest without assaulting my attention. Pelican doesn't create a completely cold and depressing mood either. In fact, the yellow and orange cover matches the moods quite well. A hot summer evening out alone in an arid wilderness.

Pelican achieves its purpose quite well with Australasia, but like most post-rock and post- metal, the scope of that goal is pretty narrow. Pelican will improve on this sound a bit on later albums, with richer layers of sound, more melody, and a bit more variation in their approach. But to a large extent, the core of this genre is background music. And Pelican stands directly at the core of post-metal. So while well done, don't expect many challenges or surprises. 3/5

Negoba | 3/5 | 2010-12-7

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