Ankhagram is one such band. This is a straight forward yet abstract album. There is a lot going on and with each successive listen you'll hear something new. Considering the simplicity of the musicianship and how layered the songs are the grandeur of the album as a whole is just that much more.
The drums pound along in a steady no frills fashion as does the bass. Moderately slow paced mostly chugging riffs are played with the kind of dry distortion you'd expect to find in a faster death metal band; thick, dry and mostly overdriven. The guitars, which are primarily distorted with a few cleans thrown in here and there, are almost an after thought to the dominate keyboards. With that being said it's safe to say this album is pure atmosphere.
Several of the keyboard and guitar riffs sound like they could've come from Shape of Despair's debut with perhaps a few nods to Arcana Colestia. However they lack the depressing mood and dreary vibe opting instead for a soothing somewhat epic and relaxed feel that's presented in a very modern way.
This isn't considered funeral doom but there are plenty of funeral-esq moments. If funeral doom somehow represents an end or death in its movements this band takes it one step further. The music puts you in a surreal post depressive state. As if you've gone through all five stages of grief and are now in a peaceful acceptance of whatever has befallen you.
Each song organically flows to the next seamlessly. Having not heard the original version of Kids by MGMT, it's impossible to say how the cover compares; but this version fits the rest of the songs perfectly. If there are any flaw it would be that it wasn't slower. The simplistic drums and guitars are a perfect backdrop to well orchestrated but not overly produced keyboards. This gets a 9/10.
Words: Grimm Doom
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