THE FLOOD INSIDE

"The Flood Inside" is the 4th full-length studio album by German post rock/metal act Long Distance Calling. The album was released through Superball Music in March 2013. Since the release of the band's third full-length studio album "Long Distance Calling (2011)", a significant lineup change has taken place as Reimut Van Bonn (electronics and sound) left in April 2012. Keyboard player and vocalist Marsen Fischer then joined the lineup, which marks the first time Long Distance Calling have had a permanent vocalist in the lineup. Their music has predominantly been instrumental up until now, with only a few tracks featuring guest vocalists. Among others Jonas Renkse from Katatonia.

Even with a permanent lead vocalist in the lineup, the music on "The Flood Inside" is predominantly instrumental like the case were on earlier releases by the band. Even the tracks which feature vocals also feature longer instrumental sections. The colourful and often atmospheric guitar playing, the occasionally heavy distorted riffing and the quite busy drumming by Janosch Rathmer are still central in the band's music, like they have been since day one. The musicianship is overall on a high level. Marsen Fischer has a bit of an anonymous and not very distinct sounding voice, but his singing is pleasant enough and suits the music well. "The Flood Inside" is well produced and features a warm and pleasant sound.

"The Flood Inside" is in many ways a quality release by Long Distance Calling, but that's to be expected from these guys. However they seldom reach the excellent mark, where their music takes me away to another dimension and therefore my rating is closer to 3.5 stars (70%) than a full 4 (80%). It's still a great release though.