INTER ARMA – Sky Burial
Review

As the evolution of sound progresses ever forward, the emergence of bands who push the boundaries of traditional perception into realms marked by ventures wholly their own are fast on the rise. Inter Arma is one such band, through whose unique blend of black metal, doom, and psyche-driven sludge compile a complex spiritual journey into a primitive world of pure aural devastation. 

The band’s Relapse debut Sky Burial, creates an atmosphere saturated with hypnotic hooks, spiraling riffage, and ritualistic drumming that captivates as much as it does mesmerizes. Setting the pace for an album that effortlessly waxes and wanes through contrasting imagery ranging from virulent downward crashes, to hopeful optimism, weaving together what is nothing short of pure sonic perfection.

Sky burial is an album that requites the listener to encompass the fabric of the album as a whole, capturing the full contextual meaning and representation therein. The album is built around creating a journey through veritable prowess expressed both musically and conceptually. Resulting in an experience that is very personable, spiritual, and deeply rooted into representing a sound that will reflect the band’s solem roots within live performances. This is no more earnestly reflected than within the track “The Long Road Home,” which sets the backdrop for a tale of travel and hardships amongst a reminiscent Pink Floydian soundtrack filled with somber lulls and despairingly visceral shifts before crashing into a full on blackened assault. While not to be outdone Inter Arma embody the very definition of influence, and showcase this in no greater fashion than within the tracks “Sblood” and “Westward.” Delivering a full range of southern post apocalyptic blues, harsh noise, dripping black passages, and psychedelic rituals that put the accentuation on a streamlined masterpiece. While haunting reverberations float above the last fleeting moments of the album, as in true departure to acclimate yourself once more in leu of having your senses shocked and amazed for the better part of 60 minutes.

Bordering somewhere between melancholic terror and introspective doom, Inter Arma far surpass their 2011 offering Destroyer to deliver one of the most refreshing and innovative albums I’ve heard in a long, long time. Sky Burial is set for North American release on March 19th, 2013 via Relapse Records. Pre-order this monster right here.

Spring Tour 2013 with Mutilation Rites

3/10 Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge
3/11 St. Louis, MO – Fubar
3/12 Lawrence, KS – Jackpot
3/13-3/16 – SXSW
3/17 Dallas, TX – Double Wide Bar
3/18 El Paso, TX – The War Room
3/19 Phoenix, AZ – Chaser’s
3/20 Tijuana, MX – Moustache Bar
3/21 Fullerton, CA – Slidebar
3/22 Corona,CA – Mayas
3/23 Camarillo, CA – Rock City
3/24 San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
3/25 Sacramento, CA – The Colony
3/26 Seattle, WA – Highline
3/27 Bellingham, WA – The Shakedown
3/28 Portland, OR – Rotture
3/29 Boise, ID – The Shredder
3/30 Salt Lake City, UT – Burt’s Tiki Lounge
3/31 Denver, CO – Aqualungs
4/1 Des Moines, IA – Vaudeville Mews
4/2 Minneapolis, MN – Medusa
4/3 Madison, WI – High Noon
4/4 Milwaukee, WI – Franks Power Plant