BURNING OFF IMPURITIES

I've been meaning to review Grail's discography for months on end, but I hadn't got any further then the 2006 release "Black Tar Prophecies". With their 2011 release pending, it's about time I got to it. Just like "Black Tar Prophecies", this album shows the band moving away from their post-rock roots to a dark and disturbing place somewhere in space-rock.

There are still many traits from post-rock in the sound, meaning that slow and quietly shouldering sections are posed next to very loud and almost ecstatic outbursts. Luckily, the band knows that there are more volume ranges then just the extremes of loud and quite. They may sound a bit like GYBE, but the songs are more concise, with more effective melodies, and with a more skillful and more dynamic build of the atmosphere.

The music is instrumental but very expressive, not that we can be conclusive about what the music is meant to express but it surely conjures up a powerful, fear-filled and almost religious sensation. Maybe I get this through association, as the band's music has a big affinity to Popol Vuh's music from the 72-76 period. It is more modern, ambient and darker, but it evokes similar spiritual and devout feelings. On top, Grails are also connected to Red Sparowes, known for their 'fear for the Lord' song content.

"Burning Off Impurities" is a perfect start if you want to discover the dark and eerie world of Grails. I prefer the preceding "Black Tar Prophecies", but this one is not far below it.