Today's subject are certainly different to what I would normally review but there's something truly inspiring and encapsulating about the entity that is White Moth Black Butterfly. Love-child of so many different artists, including Skyharbour's Keshav Dhar and Tesseract's Daniel Tompkins, it's surprising that such a direct contrast from the metal backgrounds from which they came has been created. But with surprise and contrast comes unexpected delights, and Atone certainly delivers.
I feel that the balance between the differing voices, the myriad of contrasting sounds and feelings expressed within the band is good. Particularly the variation song-to-song between Tompkins and Bethany's vocal styles I think is done very well, not favouring one too heavily but bringing both in varying quantities and allowing each singer to stamp their mark on the track.
The album focus's its sound around more natural elements, which can clearly be heard throughout, and its this which helps to create the feeling of sorrowful serenity that can be felt in the latter stages on songs like The Serpent and Tempest. The album reeks of pain, suffering and sorrow but it has an amazingly uplifting quality to it as well. The beating, war-like drums of Tempest contrast so lovingly with the vocals and soaring melody carried on the strings that you feel almost held still by it all.
I can liken it only to the contrast and warring sides of ones mind and soul in times of uncertainty. While one part of the body wishes to cower and submit to the negativity being brought upon it, there is always the other side, trying to motivate us and cancel out the actions of the detrimental. So you may hear lyrics singing of an almost defeatist attitude, the music behind it is very different, almost giving a retrospective quality.
As if the whole record was written looking back at the self during this time and factoring in all the determination that battles with sorrow, the strength that defends the weak.
I have to say I'm quite taken by the whole thing, the album has some truly inspiring moments, not to mention some of absolute clarity and tranquility that can sweep you away (as with all good music) to a realm not seen before and one you won't want to leave.
Tranquil art pop for metalheads: 8/10
Top picks: An Ocean Away, The Sage, Tempest.
Atone was released September 1st 2017 via Kscope:
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