Four monstrous instrumental stories are laid before us. Gloomy and minimalist, this is doomy post-metal of a Cult of Luna kind. It’s all in the way that it’s done. “Onomatopeia” is handled with breathtaking sensitivity, moving quietly ambiently through dark and light.
From the outset the music is slow and hypnotising. Clear and strong chords ring out without wastage. The source of Sequoian Aequison’s membership lies in fellow Russian purveyors of ambience and sludge Inter Arbores and Ypres, and here every ounce of emotion is drawn out. It does not need words. “To the Surface” and the three opuses which follow are powerful and majestic. I expected a build-up but it wasn’t necessary. Sequoian Aequison develop delicate patterns like stars quietly working their way through the sky. The shape is immaculate. I found myself clinging on to every note. Every note of this cosmically-orientated gloom has expression. I just didn’t want this to ever end. As we entered “Irretrievable” I stared into space and indulged in this dream world. It’s amazing how such minimal sounds can be exploited to create such an emotion-charged, sad and crushing atmosphere. It should be grey but it’s full of richness. “Opening Walls” is more dark, slow and moody. Again I wondered how such delicate sounds could inspire such a vast expanse. This time the guitar ring, accompanied by the patiently pattering drum, seemed more sinister. The instrumentals tell a sad story. The gloom intensifies. Each tale is brought to a smooth end, which is somehow satisfying. There is silence, and then “Rest on the Way to Nowhere” creeps up. It’s spooky, paranoid maybe. Cymbals clash like waves and deep cosmic sounds enhance the atmosphere. The drum patters softly and constantly, providing the heart beat. There’s no hurry again as this instrumental monster plots its steady and quiet course. It’s all dreadfully sad, yet there is a powerful cosmic energy and a sense of life coming out of this sensual piece.
I was stunned when I first heard this. I listened to it again and want to listen to it more. There are no gimmicks. Every drop of emotion is sublimely drawn from the simplest of sounds. “Onomatopeia” is an appeal to the senses. It completely mesmerises me.
(9.5/10 Andrew Doherty)
http://slowburn.ru/lang/eng/2014/07/burn-019-14-sequoian-aequison-onomatopoeia
Leave a Reply