Novarupta – Marine Snow
Release Date: 13th November 2020
Label: Suicide Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Post-Metal, Doom, Stoner, Prog.
FFO: Black Sabbath, Winds, Sleep.
Review By: David Oberlin
Novarupta is an artistic endeavor from ex-post metaller Alex Stjernfeldt. And so you could argue that this musical expedition is his post-post metal outfit. Why. Who knows, and, or probably cares.
Hailing from the country known for its killer death metal bands, left-wing politics and for putting PewDiePie on an official Haters list: Sweden. Stjernfeldt, previously of The Moth Gatherer, returns with his sophomore album under the guise of Novarupta titled Marine Snow. Running with a concept that he has planned to span over four albums. Where each release will cover a single force inspired by the classical four elements. Marine Snowsees Alex getting cosy with the fishes while playing with Ecco the Dolphin as he dives down through the element of water.
Stjernfeldt is not alone on his voyage through these waters however and Marine Snow sees Lea Amling (Besvärjelsen,) Robert Lamu (Skraeckoedlan,) Mike Paparo (Inter Arma,) Arvid Hällagård (Greenleaf,) Martin Persner (Ghost/Magna Carta Cartel) and Josh Graham (Storm of Light) all adding their talents to the roster. Marine Snow is very consistent in its sound considering the track by track turn around.
Coupled in with a perceptibly wet filter the production aptly emphasises the nature of the concept. Especially when the articulation of picking on the guitar becomes more tumultuous. In addition to this the bass frequencies are well developed. Holistically, Stjernfeldt utilises an in depth mix of doom, sludge and stoner metal, with hints of thrash and death towards his artistic and pessimistic visionsdetailed through these compositions.
Marine Snow is a well developed idea executed brilliantly through the power of recording. With five tracks and a total runtime of nearly forty minutes Stjernfeldt and co. deliver a mesmeric cacophony of gloom as they explore the classic element that holds the cradle of life through the medium of metal.
(4 / 5)
