Sleep Paralysis – Sleep Paralysis
Release Date: 28th February 2025
Label: I, Voidhanger Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Avant-Garde Metal, Dissonant Black Metal.
FFO: Entombed, Feral, Dismember, Paganizer.
Review By: Ceta
Sleep Paralysis is an album that defies conventional categorization, delivering a surreal and unconventional listening experience. Its avant-garde nature makes it difficult to define, but it thrives on its eccentricity, weaving chaotic elements into a strangely captivating whole. While it may not appeal to everyone, and even seasoned fans of experimental music might find themselves puzzled, its uniqueness is undeniable, solidifying its place as a standout in the genre.
At the heart of the album lies its synth and piano work, which serve as the driving force behind its distinctive sound. These elements consistently steal the spotlight, delivering moments of brilliance that elevate the entire project. The instrumental arrangements, though unconventional, are executed with precision, creating a bizarre yet cohesive atmosphere. The result is a fascinating take on avant-garde metal that, though disturbing in nature, they do feel natural given the aesthetic of the album.
Sleep Paralysis could be described as a darkly playful experiment, channeling a mischievous energy that feels both chaotic and intentional. Its vibe can be compared to the soundtrack of a serial killer that has way too much fun torturing its poor victims, but instead of just taking the killer’s perspective (something overdone in death metal), it feels more like the perception the victims are having of all the suffering and horror they’re going through. It’s also an album that despite its madness and heaviness, it feels strangely calming. It’s difficult to explain, you’ll have to put yourself through it.
While the album’s drug-fueled, chaotic vibe is undeniable, it’s the quirky combination of instruments and ideas that truly defines it. Sleep Paralysis doesn’t aim to be the most technical, complex, or heavy avant-garde metal release; instead, it carves its own niche with unapologetic originality. It’s the kind of music that can only be described as a band that sounds like itself. It might not be perfect, since it takes a substantial amount of time to adjust to all the strange songwriting decisions taken here, but I’m extremely curious to follow this project and see what else it’s capable of. Something tells me the weirdness and the real experimentation is only starting now. I’m all in for it!
(3.5 / 5)
