LOCRIAN
‘Return To Annihilation’ Review

And so, it appears Locrian, the longtime masters of Urban Psychedelia, have deemed to announce their arrival at the Relapse stable with possibly their finest work yet. Coming on like the soundtrack for a sci fi epic yet to be made, “Return to Annihilation” is the glorious result of a band who have historically taken a more cerebral approach to heavy music pushing themselves further, without for one second abandoning atmosphere or emotion in the process.

There’s been a vaguely 70’s feel on some of the last few Locrian records, and it’s perhaps made a little more explicit both sonically and conceptually here.

Spectres of prog rock, John Carpenter and Riz Ortolani style soundtrack work, and the pastoral musings of Popol Vuh and Comus flit through the album’s inner workings respectfully, though as per usual the band are still far from plagiaristic. A perfect example is the unexpectedly beautiful opener – take away the distorted, banshee like vocals and it’s sun drenched synths, rolling rhythm section and tasteful interjection of dual guitar is weirdly reminiscent of Peter Gabriel era Genesis at their dreamiest.

Locrian are masters of the slow build, always have been. “A Visitation From The Wrath Of Heaven” is a long, tense night drive that you know is eventually going to explode, but when it does, it doesn’t make the fireworks any less majestic. “Exiting the Hall of Vapor And Light” begins with an echo of their drone roots, adding evocative and non intrusive guitar lines to create space.

The logical channeling of all the elements that make the album the wonder it is though, is the final, epic “Obsolete Elegies”. A 15 minute suite where the prog element is most pronounced, the band weave through moods and themes expertly – from full band majesty to a few moments of glacial ambience to a full on symphonic almost black metal assault at the end – it’s an utterly breathtaking piece of music, seemingly beamed down from another world entirely and channeled through the trio as if it had always been there. waiting for the right hosts to give it form.

Having followed this band eagerly since the “Rhetoric of Surfaces” album about 5 years ago, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected with each record. Locrian now, however, have a mastery of their own sound built of over time such that they now feel like a familiar friend when I hear each new record for the first time – yet each time they seem to find new ways of expanding their sound. “Return to Annihilation” is the most cogent expression of their musical identity so far. A warm, compelling listen that you’ll hear something new in every time you listen.