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Ancestors: In dreams and time
13/02/13 || gk
Formed in 2006, this American doom metal band has been getting better with every release. The band started off with a sound that was basically Sleep inspired doom on their debut album “Neptune with fire” but by the time their second album rolled along had mutated into a band that mixed 70’s prog with a solid Black Sabbath feel. It was another good album but their influences were quite clearly defined. 2011’s “Invisible white” EP was a surprise with its pretty, melancholic ambiance and keyboard heavy soundscapes and now finally in 2012 the band has hit on their own unique sound.
“In dreams and time” opens with “Whispers” which starts in typical Ancestors fashion with a slow and lumbering doom riff but then takes off in the second half of the song with a killer stoner metal riff and things get off to a fine start. The last return is keyboard driven and melodic with interplay between male and female vocals and a superb keyboard solo. “Corryvreckan” is a melancholic and moody song with the organ and bass playing being of a really high standard. The album closes with the epic, close to 20 minute track First light which successfully brings together the band’s sound. Starting melodic with an epic post-metal feel, the song quietens down around the 5 minute mark with some laid back space rock but that humming organ keeps going in the background and when the clean, mournful singing of the second verse kicks in, you know Ancestors are on to something special. A long instrumental jam section with a beautiful and well placed guitar line takes the song onward to the 3rd verse and a classic Pink Floyd feel but it’s the solo after this verse and the sublime bass playing beneath it that lifts this song to being an absolute masterpiece.
This band has grown in leaps and bounds since the days of their debut. They were always fine musicians but now they’re also incredibly gifted song writers. Each song on this album ebbs and flows with life and there’s really no weak spot. Justin Maranga’s guitar playing is exceptional but Nick Long’s bass playing and how he so often seems to sit on top of the drums, playing complementary notes is quite something. Still, the real stars of the show here are the songs. Each of these 6 songs is beautifully crafted and transcends any categorization.
This is another album I didn’t listen to a lot when it came out but it’s definitely one of the better releases from 2012. Ancestors has found their own sound on “In dreams and time”. This is some fearless music and progressive in the truest sense of the word. Fans of doom, stoner, progressive rock, psychedelic rock and even post-metal should find plenty to like here.
- Information
- Released: 2012
- Label: Tee Pee Records
- Website: Ancestors facebook
- Band
- Justin Maranga: guitars, vocals
- Matt Barks: Synthesizer, guitars, vocals
- Nick Long: Bass
- Jason Watkins: organ, keyboards, vocals
- Daniel Pouliot: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. Whispers
- 02. The Last Return
- 03. Corryvreckan
- 04. On the Wind
- 05. Running in Circles
- 06. First Light
