Portuguese duo Pedro Soares and Guilherme Henriques (past and present members of Gaerea) have returned with OAK, their Atmospheric Funeral/Death Doom Metal project whose sophomoric full length release has been picked up for release on CD and LP by Season of Mist, and features just one track that spans three quarters of an hour. The artwork by belial Necroarts is stunning; simultaneously depicting a simple wooden stump and the horrific, swirling maelstrom into the bowels of the underworld.
You have to be confident in your song-writing abilities if you are to put together one long colossal track, and Oak doesn’t disappoint. Following a soothing opening stanza of gentle guitar tones, sparse drum strokes and symbol crashes that start far away and gradually move closer, Oak then roars into life, literally! A crash of meaty riff, growled vocals and harsh drums peels through the speakers like a thunderclap and suddenly we are in a whole new territory; one of ferocious vocal work and intricate drumming that makes full use of the symbols for maximum effect.
Very impressive are the haunting melodic interludes that frequent this album, using brief subtle synth flourishes to bolster the beautiful acoustic tones and echoing bass drum beats. ‘Disintegrate’ deals with themes of depression and inner turmoil, and throughout the album’s entirety there is a mournful, troubled aura to both the anguished vocals and the myriad sorrowful melodies.
It would be so easy for an album of this type to become stale and boring, but ‘Disintegrate’ never even borders on that, remaining engaging, powerful and emotionally cutting throughout its lengthy tenure. Superbly crafted and masterfully performed, Oak bring to you an opus of raw emotion, mesmerising harmonies and when needed, some physical heaviness to match the atmosphere they create.
(8/10 Marksson)
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