Review by Adam M on August 10, 2015.

The band Elder is a breath of fresh air for the stoner metal genre. They utilize long songs and plenty of post moments to craft some of the more interesting portions this genre has seen in some time.

Right from the first track Compendium, plenty of energy can be found. This band has an excitement level that is right through the roof and it is detected in this first track alone. The first huge guitar riff that emanates from the album recalls the likes of Led Zeppelin’s The Immigrant Song greatly. One might think that a similar style would be followed throughout, but this band injects more than enough variety to keep the listener captivated at all points. There are also a fair number of dynamic shifts in this album that allows the band to pull its feet out of being completely present in the stoner genre. There are quieter moments on the album that help bridge the gap between portions that contain overwhelmingly huge riffs. Though the band plays large tribute to bands like Kyuss, there are still moments that recall more recent bands like Baroness. However, it’s the constantly changing type of music that is hard to put an overall label on and constantly interests. The band even has psychedelic moments that would make the listener want to lump them in with music from the older days. If there are any weak moments to the band, it’s in the long jam moments. Sometimes Elder wants to keep going with their songs in different directions while a more direct approach could have been used. Also, there are many moments that seem like they are too derivative of other bands present.

The instrumental portions of this album are mostly done with the highest of quality. The vocalist sounds sort of different for this particular genre, but suits the music quite well. Overall, Lore is in direct competition with Royal Thunder’s Crooked Doors for best stoner metal album of the year at this point.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Adam M on March 5, 2015.

Arcane merge so many different sounds from the heavy and dynamic to the subtle and powerful to craft a progressive album that is very distinct, though one can certainly hear some strains of the band Tool’s sound, for example. Every song has a wonderful array of instrumentation and many are absolute centerpieces for the progressive metal genre in general. How does the shift towards more gentle sounds on the second album function? Well, the approach certainly is unique, but unlike the musicianship, I’m not sure if it’s executed quite as elegantly. While the song-writing and performances always approach perfection, the balance of the album is perhaps a little less close to that moniker.

The use of guitars including the phenomenal acoustic ones used on this double album is absolutely phenomenal, though, whether the band occupies heavier or softer musical avenues. The album Tellurian by Soen also approaches the sound of the band Tool or even the band Dredg, but that quality album doesn’t even come close to the job that Arcane does at crafting their own distinct sound with a similar familiarity to Tool. Both the vocalist and bassist recall that band, but the other instrumentation that adds a different character to Arcane is even more dynamic and interesting than what Soen presents. Every track on this double album is also more successful at creating an involving atmosphere and is always complemented nicely by the dynamic vocals. The tone of the album is positive, uplifting and effective at all times. There are many moments that stick out on this double album, from the opening track Promise (Part 2) to the song Learned and on to many of the moments of the more subtle second album.

Arcane has set a standard for current progressive music that will be difficult to top and adds to Australia’s growing heavy metal prowess. As the launch date of the new Tool album approaches, one thing enters my mind. How will they top this brilliant new double album Known/Learned by Arcane?

Rating: 9 out of 10