Urne’s first EP, 2018’s “The Mountain Of Gold” offered a tantalising look at what a couple of ex-Hang The Bastard guys could offer as they went in search of a more progressive sound. Joe Nally (bass, vocals) and Angus Neyra (guitar) teamed up with Richard Harris (drums) to realise their vision. “Serpent & Spirit” is the band’s debut long player and promises much.
Title track “Serpent & Spirit” opens up with warmth and melody before slipping into a meaty, clean riff and a pummelling churn overlaid with Joe Nally’s vocals full of passionate rage. This is an absolute swirling torrent that keeps coming from all directions and creates a template for the rest of the album. Shades of Metallica are on display on “The Palace Of Devils & Wolves” with a lovely guitar break that soars through the meaty backdrop. Bursts of machine gun like riffage roar on “Memorial” punctuating the floating melodic beauty. With constant shifts this lifts into a punchy, groove laden track redolent of Sylosis showing off the bands progressive side in fine style. Angus Neyra’s playing is melodious and warm over a rhythm section that locks everything down uber tight.
There are completely unbridled head banging moments on tracks like “Moon & Sky” and “Desolate Heart”. Frenetic and urgent, they have a heart racing spikiness to them. Nally’s vocals are full of rage and give the album an incredible depth of emotion that cannot be ignored. Very progressive with unexpected turns that display light and shade, the flow of the album is absorbing.
“Memorial: Sing Me To Rest” is solemn and contemplative. Hushed vocals over a gentle, chiming echoed guitar slowly grows in stature and bleeds into album closer “A Tomb So Frail”. The highly emotive introduction explodes into a torrent of taught riffage and the abrupt end leaves a sense of numbness and a feeling of “what just happened?”.
The band members have pedigree without a shadow of a doubt but if a debut from a new outfit can pack a punch like this then watch out. Grab a copy and keep an ear out for Urne. Compelling stuff.
(9/10 Johnny Zed)
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