THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE

Last week received a promotional copy of BATTLESTATION'S third studio album The Extent of Damage, normally when I see the words Post Rock/Math Rock, I run because most of it is like Sanscrit for me, but being familiar with the work of this Belgium band, was impatient to play it'.And wasn't disappointed at all.

The first thing I noticed was the impeccable presentation, which included not only a booklet with excellent photos reminiscent of Edvard Munch's work that complement the dark mysterious music, but also a bonus memory card with a shocking video that enhances Necro and places the listener in the correct mood for the album.

The album is opened precisely with Necro, a 12 minutes epic that somehow made me think in some passages of Voivode Dracula by KARDA ESTRA, but much more aggressive with emphasis in the atmospheres rather than in orchestration.

This time I won't review each track, because the album is like a musical journey through nostalgia with rich textures and different sonic layers, all surrounded by a dramatic melodic background that has to be listened from start to end in order to make sense.

What I must say is that these guys really know their business, because despite the shocking nature of the music, there's a relaxing substratum that brings relief to an otherwise too distressing album without losing the claustrophobic atmosphere that I enjoyed so much.

I'm not a fan of Post Rock/Math Rock, but and I loved In A Cold Embrace and The Extent of Damage even more, so being an advance from the already brilliant previous record, I have no alternative than to go with 5 solid stars.

I'm sure many listeners will place this release as one of the best albums of the year.

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