iLiKETRAiNS - He Who Saw The Deep

He Who Saw The Deep - iLiKETRAiNS
Genre: Post-Rock/Prog-Rock
Rating: 9/10
3 years have passed since iLiKETRAiNS last LP, the gloriously epic Elegies To Lessons Learnt, and those three years have felt painfully long. This albums predecessor was steeped in historical research and as the title suggests concerned itself with tragic stories from the past dealing with topics such as the black death, witch trials and the assassination of Spencer Perceval. Needless to say it was a bleak album filled with heartbreak and a great sense of foreboding. For a band to create such an epic and well thought out debut is truly an amazing achievement in itself, however it did set the bar incredibly high for their follow up.

More than three years later after funding issues and going independant the record has finally arrived. Before the release various band members alluded to a shift in direction and from just one listen it is apparent what they meant. Rather than scouring the depths of human misadventure in the history books the band have instead shifted focus to the future.

David Martin paints a macabre picture of the future with his chilling barritone vocals, again acting as a morbid announcer, ushering in dooms day. Whilst again producing another slice of epic post-rock which retains their indelible stamp they are not just repackaging an old album with a twist. The true brilliance of this album comes from the more traditional use instruments. Whilst its predecessor saw practically every song drenched in reverb and atmospherical tweaks here we have the band coming as close as they are ever likely to be to "rocking out". Squeals of feedback and more pronounced percussion and rhythm makes these songs almost strangely accessible for the uninitiated. This isn't to say there isn't reverb or synths as they are present in abundance throughout making this an album that the "die-hard fans" won't reject.

The record itself is also more varied than Elegies in terms of tone with certain tracks like single "A Father's Son" almost sounding upbeat. Whilst the subject matter of death and impending doom is found throughout the record the mood peaks and trophs almost to suggest an acceptance of the end. A truly rewarding listen all round. Highly recommended.

Download: "Progress Is A Snake" "Sirens"