This Is The Last Time – Acclimation
Release Date: 18th November 2022
Label: Self-Release/Here is Nowhere/Dead Red Queen/Drown Within
Bandcamp
Genre: Instrumental Metal, Atmospheric.
FFO: ISIS, Pelican, Russian Circles.
Review By: Jason James
Formed during the initial Covid lockdown of 2020, This Is The Last Time ready themselves to release their debut album, Acclimation.
In some circles, this quintet would be considered a supergroup, boasting members of bands such as members of Sunless, Orwell, Iron Thrones and Poney. Andrew Notsch, Tim Bradley and Steven Henningsgard take up guitar duty, with Andrew Notsch and Steven Henningsgard also on the synths. Tyler Spatz also helps with the synths and handles the bass guitar work. Taylor Hamel handles the drum programming, rounding off the group.
Acclimation is an accomplished piece of work. One of the most impressive pieces of information I read about this album is that all tracks were recorded individually at the band members’ various homes. Listening to the result, you would think that the guys were all together in a professional musical setting. The music is tight, no instrument is overpowered by any other and the sound is crisp with perfect levelling.
Andrew Notsch explains that they were trying to create an uplifting, optimistic album, “…a feel good / strolling on a beautiful summer day album, but with a ton of blast beats.” They have succeeded. The album is definitely heavy, the 3 electric guitars coalescing to create a beautiful sonic terrain, the bass and drums chugging away underneath. Each of the 4 tracks are expansive, taking as much time as they need to grow and enlighten, making this the perfect album to lay back with a pair of great headphones on to fully take in every trill and boom. This is an album that leaves you feeling at peace, a sense of calm and tranquillity that extends long after listening and inviting you to relisten.
This is a very polished, sophisticated debut from the US quintet. It would not be surprising to wonder if the guys will stick together and release more music, or whether their primary band commitments will drag them away. Will the personnel change or is This Is The Last Time a ‘one-and-done’?
(3 / 5)
