KEPLER

What I find lacking in many bands of the post-metal genre is the use of instrumental sounds beyond guitars and drums. Look to Windward use synthesizers as tasteful and subtle accents to compositions both brutal and sensitive. This is not your grandaddy's post-metal.

"Dwell" From those first notes to the bursting forth of Enchant-like riffs and velvety feminine vocals, I was impressed. It runs likes a pounding, metal version of The Decemberists ending in a satisfying major-seventh chord and violin interlude. The structure moves in ways both pleasing and unnerving.

"Mantle" For those who enjoy troll singing, this will be good, but I much prefer the elven refrain that rebuts it- beautiful, sailing like a vessel over stormy oceans.

"Glint" Cyclically energetic, "Glint" pummels itself into brass notes and silly barking. It's okay- the dog stops to let the owner drive the listener into hypnosis, where the slower tempo guitar and brass bear down.

"Kepler" For those awaiting a punchier breed of metal, there's the title track. The vocal honey holds it smoothly together. With quieter passages reminiscent of dark Echolyn and female vocals setting them apart, this moves into psychedelic metal territory worthy of the minutes it uses.

Some years ago I found this band from New Zealand, whose music belongs to the post rock/metal genre, and I liked their first EP. A month ago I found out they released a new one, entitled "Kepler" which is composed of four songs that make a total time of 26 minutes. I downloaded it (name your price stuff) and I am happy with it, because though this kind of music has nothing to do with my regular tastes, I enjoy it and that's what counts.

It starts with "Dwell" whose first 15 seconds are a nice electronic introduction that later vanishes in order to open the gates to the post metal sound, which is wonderfully complemented by a female voice. Then the male one appears and takes the leadership, the music flows and produces that powerful sound that make us move our head. After two minutes the music slows down, a new pastoral passage begins, it lasts for some seconds, but I loved that change; later, the power returns, but the song itself grabs your attention, at least it did it with me.

The sound of guitar and drums in "Mantle" continue with the same vein, and what I also like is the accurate use of keyboards, which may not be the main character of the music, but its work appears in the right moment. Now here I have a problem, because I am not into growling vocals, and though the music does not harm my attention, the voice does. But well, later the female voice returns and softens the music a bit, though the brutal spirit prevails. After two minutes it vanishes, a new structure appears and a moment of calm is shown. Some names such as Rain Delay or Grayceon come to my mind in some passages.

"Glint" is an odd track, like a strange mixture of rage and softness, metal, jazz and electronica. For me the female voice is a real help, otherwise I think I would not keep my good intentions with just growling vocals. The sound is faster at first, and it flows perfectly; the introduction of trumpets is nice, though I don't know if purist metalheads like it, to me is actually something new, innovative, something I would like to clap.

Finally "Kepler", with over 11 minutes of music, is the main reason of the existence of this EP. I would not say this is like all the previous songs put together, but the sound might sum up the first 3 tracks. Anyway it is obvious that the structure and composition is different, but the Look to Windward particular touch is placed here, with that faster and furious moments that contrast with delicate and soft passages. The addition of winds is very provocative, that slice of jazz makes me want to dig more about this band, because not everyone dares to include them. I cannot deny that when the male growls appear my moment of joy vanishes, but that's just me, the band does not need to stop doing that, because it is part of its essence.

Well, if you are looking for new, good music that can be free and legal to download, you can choose this one. My final grade, 3 solid stars in a subjective way, 4 in an objective one, I bet people who like metal will really dig this one.

Enjoy it!