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Derelict Earth: And so fell the last leaves...
09/08/11 || The Duff
Some dude called Quentin got in touch with GD, specifically myself because he thought I’d be into his style of progressive metal. Honestly, I can think of several reviewers before me, but with Derelict Earth’s latest I find myself not for the worse, I can say that much.
The band is essentially a one-man project (ex-Silmarillion) based in France. The influences have been stated as Opeth, Agalloch, Primordial to name a few, but I’m finding far more including maudlin of the Well, Cynic, Orphaned Land (that’s kinda that Eastern-prog death thing, right?), Novembre, Alcest, harsh vocals in the Farmakon vein, and then yeah, King Crimson and all that shebaz. There’s definitely more of a modern touch to this record than on records practicing ye olde folklore as with early Opeth and Agalloch.
The production, for something worked on by one person, is a well-rounded affair, although the layering remains minimalist which is where Quentin’s strengths as a song-writer become most apparent. He’s clearly put a lot of thought into building a multitude of sounds per section when not indulging in minimalist chord-strumming/picking for atmosphere, when the music takes its most captivating directions in much the grey-metal standard of breathtaking, moving density of post-rock mannerisms; of course, budget restrictions or whatever keeps the tone very Earth-y, as it seems each guitar part has only been tracked the once – it’s an endearing mix of naivety and ambition.
His choice of notes are for the most part interesting, but one aspect to criticize that I’m sure will only develop in time are his arrangement-skills and the fact you feel he hasn’t cut away any of the fat – this can consequently come across as a bit of a jumble even though overall the music is of quality, you get the feeling ideas have been crammed together for not wanting to throw anything away, either that or tied up via strings of atmospheric clean, folk-guitars that can appear altogether repetitive and a touch strenuous for their simplicity.
In the end, it all works if only lacking true gusto to earn the band anything beyond passing praise; I would urge Quentin to keep pursuing with Derelict Earth, but the band needs to mature in the long-run if it is to stand any chance when even long-time runners of the sub-genre are still going very strong.
- Information
- Released: 2011
- Label: Self-released
- Website: Derelict Earth MySpace
- Band
- Quentin Stainer: everything
- Tracklist
- 01. We, Experiment of God
- 02. No More Sunset
- 03. The Locust Culture
- 04. At the Nadir of Men
- 05. Carnal Transcendance
- 06. Scars of Truth
- 07. Awaiting the Heat Death
- 08. And So Fell the Last Leaves…
