It's been a little bit since the last Earth opus was bestowed upon us. The Bees Made Honey Out Of the Lion's Skull continued the bands challenging of what it means to be drone. You could not deny that album's power. Dylan Carlson's latest effort, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1 continues Earth's journey into their drone 2.0. This album is very much the next phase in the bands 'new sound'.
Where the previous three albums were drawn out day dreaming soundscapes, this new album is a bit up tempo, for an Earth album. In previous albums, Adrienne Davies' drumming has provided more accents than a constant pulse. It's the drums that provide the 'faster' feel to this album. It actual sounds like someone playing the drums than someone coming to conscious once in a while. It makes the music feel more alive than someone nodding off. Carlson's guitar work sounds less like someone noodling around and more cohesive. 'Father Midnight' goes the extra mile and adds a swing feel and even a sense of danger. The addition of Lori Goldston on the cello also provides gritty and dark textures that fills in the back end nicely throughout the album. The last song, and title track, suggests that this could be part one of two, or more albums or songs. Who knows? It would seem that that '1' in the title would suggest the intention to continue where this album left off. Haven't they been kind of doing that with this batch of albums? Who knows? Who cares. I'm enjoying each chapter thus far.
Overall, this album shouldn't surprise those familiar with the band. It isn't anything drastically new, which isn't to say it's bad, it's great. If you're a fan of Earth's past few albums, this would appear to be the next logical step: adding new layers. By the band's standards they've dug deeper, expanded on their sound. In some ways I feel like this album is their sound finally realized.
here's a link to the opening track, 'Old Black', being preformed live.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFryEj8wXLc&feature=related
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