AZIOLA CRY

AZIOLA CRY are a trio out of Chicago and this is their third release "The Ironic Divide" from 2021. I was so excited when this band was added to this site back in 2010 I think it was because I already owned their debut "Ellipsis" from 2005 and eventually got their 2007 EP called "Ghost Conversations". They mention TOOL and KING CRIMSON as influences and that still holds true as their sound hasn't changed much at all. Maybe it's the subject matter but this album does seem weightier and darker. It's all instrumental but it's a concept about a bad man's final descent. I honestly thought it was about the covid/vaccines because in the past here in Canada when things get tough it brings us closer together. It's that ironic divide that's going on all over the world that is surprising but understandable.

Notice all three of their album covers are dark. Each release has had a different drummer on it but the guitarist Mike Milaniak and warr guitar player and composer Jason Blake are the two constants. By the way on the first two records Jason played grand stick and stick bass but on this record it's a 12 string warr guitar, and there are bass strings on it as well so that's pretty cool. These guys have played in concerts with FAR CORNER, DON CABALLERO, TILES and others of course. This is heavy music man. Four songs worth almost 50 minutes and you will take a beating listening to this guaranteed. I spun the other two on the weekend for comparisons sake and yup same sounding band but I do feel this is a little heavier, more metallic and a little darker.

So many amazing moments as these guys can play and we get plenty of complexity on display. Hard to pick a favourite as the album comes across as being one long piece in it's attitude and sound. The title track at over 21 minutes would be my default choice for the drum work, changes in tempo and mood. So much depth but the drumming for me really stands out on this one. Awesome track! I'm not going to describe the music other than that, I would be repeating myself a lot.

This is my music though and it's been an absolute pleasure to spend some time with this cd. Fourteen years since their last release and they haven't missed a beat. A very solid 4 stars for this daunting album.

AZIOLA CRY are a Post-Metal band out of Chicago who cite TOOL, KING CRIMSON and GORDION KNOT as influences. This is their second release from 2007 and as far as I know the last(so far). This is an EP worth just over 23 minutes, while their debut was a full length studio album from 2005 called "Ellipsis". This is dark and it can be quite heavy although they employ plenty of atmosphere. Grand Stick, Stick bass, programming, drums, acoustic and electric guitars make up their sound. These guys can play.

"Ghost Conversations I" opens with a dark atmosphere and it's about 3 minutes in before the picked guitar arrives while the atmosphere seems to get louder and more haunting. Cymbals clash and make prolonged sounds 4 1/2 minutes in while the guitar cries out over top. It kicks in hard at 6 minutes as powerful sounds pulsate. I love when the sound levels out and the guitar plays over top. So good! A calm 7 1/2 minutes in with lots of atmosphere and there's almost waves of it to the end.

"Ghost Conversations II" reminds me of GORDION KNOT early on then the riffs kick in but they are brief. The guitar soars above the dark soundscape of drums, guitar and atmosphere. It turns more powerful then settles back quickly. It kicks in hard once again 2 minutes in, powerful stuff. Another calm 3 minutes in. Man this is beautiful as the guitar starts to solo in a relaxed manner. It kicks in hard once more late.

"Ghost Conversations III" has these stop and go riffs and drums with atmosphere then it levels out. Great sound! These contrasts continue. Check out the slow and heavy guitar 4 minutes in along with the powerful atmosphere. Some cool sounding guitar parts follow a minute later then we get some extended guitar expressions after 6 1/2 minutes. The tempo picks up 7 1/2 minutes in then we get a big finish with some energetic drum work to say the least.

Worth the 4 stars despite it's length but you need to check out the debut if you like this style of music.

First of all I want to thank Olav (Windhawk) for adding this band to the site. I think it was about 3 weeks ago I mentioned AZIOLA CRY to him, and as usual he didn't give lip service but put them in for evaluation and the team approved them. AZIOLA CRY are a trio out of Chicago who list GORDION KNOT,TOOL and KING CRIMSON as inspirations.The music is fairly heavy at times and all instrumental. On this particular album we get drums, acoustic and electric guitar as well as Grand Stick and Stick Bass. There is some programming on here as well which gives the disc some atmosphere.

"Ellipsis I" opens with a dark atmoshere as intricate guitar comes in then riffs around a minute. Just a great sound the rest of the way. Some Stick 2 1/2 minutes in then it turns heavy again. "The Trembling Edge" is heavy to start then it settles some before a minute but it's still heavy. Man I love this stuff. Check out the Stick Bass after 1 1/2 minutes as it kicks back in. Contrasts continue. Nice guitar work before 3 1/2 minutes and it all sounds incredible 4 minutes in, lots of bottom end. Guitar is back a minute later and playing over top. "In Your Dissolving Arms" opens with Stick and acoustic guitar. It does start to build especially around 2 minutes. It settles back after 3 minutes then kicks back in as it continues to shift back and forth. "Ellipsis II" opens with atmosphere then it turns heavy yet it's so interesting to listen to. Intricate and powerful at the same time. The drums and bass are killer here.

"Shadow Lies" opens with percussion then it turns heavy with the guitar playing over top. Nice. "When Soft Voices Die" opens with intricate guitar and Stick as cymbals create some atmosphere. Beautiful sound here. Drums join in and it picks up after 2 minutes. So good. The guitar sounds great before 6 minutes.It turns heavier and the guitar just smokes. "Then Wake To Weep" opens with percussion and some atmosphere and different programmed sounds.The guitar sounds like it's crying out in the background. Drums 1 1/2 minutes in. Cool tune. "Ellipsis III" opens with Stick as outbursts of heaviness come and go. It settles some then picks up speed. It settles back around 4 minutes then kicks back in after 6 1/2 minutes. The guitar is lighting it up before 8 1/2 minutes.

This is one amazing album people ! I've owned this for several years and remember talking to Prog-Jester about this a few years back telling him how good this was. The band is finally here. Enjoy !