American sludge heavyweights Kylesa have never let more than three years pass between releasing full lengths, however, since putting ‘Spiral Shadow’ out in 2010 fans have waited with agitated impatience for what the former Damad members will come up with next. Sixth studio album ‘Ultraviolet’ puts an end to the suspense and sees the five piece take a slightly different direction with their music.
Anticipation and high expectations will be the undoing of this record – it’s definitely a grower and will take more than a few listens before it really reaches out and grabs its audience or presents its prize winning tracks. Despite the musical boundaries that Kylesa are playing with, the occasional nod to their root-sound (‘To Walk a Middle Course’) is unmistakable and they are mixing up the best of their trademark enormity with riskier, more melodic hooks and riffs. This album will fly right over the heads of those seeking out big, dumb sludge – laced with complexity; tracks such as ‘Unspoken’ have an eerie, atmospheric feel that is bound to pull interest from fans of the likes of Ides of Gemini and Windhand.
The first listen of ‘Ultraviolet’ may feel like you’re being sold short; standout track, percussion heavy ‘We’re Taking This’ is a meagre two minutes and 42 seconds long. However, the short and snappy approach works to Kylesa’s advantage – because each track uses such a short space of time to deliver what it wants to say, it ensures that it has your attention the entire time, so there is never a moment on this album when your mind has time to wander and you’re left wanting more, meaning multiple listens. Clever!
Dual vocalists Laura and Phillip show how their voices have matured over the years with a display of multi faceted singing. Best known for her screams and flat monotonous clean vocals, Laura now puts her voice to full use with genuinely pleasantly sung harmonies and gorgeous dulcet tones. Phillip, on the other hand, has moved away from his edgy punk shouts and is strangely emotive sounding in each of his choral contributions.
Whatever preconceptions or boundaries Kylesa may have set for themselves, they have smashed them all with ‘Ultraviolet’. Whilst this release may see a lot of fans walking away with disappointment, it will also intrigue a lot of people that have avoided listening to them up until this point. A heroic endeavour of musical experimentation that fully displays just what this band are capable of.
(7/10 Angela Davey)
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