Featuring Genavieve Beaulieu of Menace Ruine and experimental musician James Hamilton, member of Column, Annihilist and Nebris (his latest project), Preterite is a band you should not miss. Following the release of their debut album, Pillar of Winds, the duo returns today with their sophomore full-length, From The Wells. What is interesting here is that Beaulieu and Hamilton leave behind the dense sonic soundscapes and retreat to a much more stripped down version of their music. Focused primarily on Beaulieu’s unreal voice and the acoustic guitar, From The Wells can be perceived as a minimalistic album.
Of course the excellent instrumentation that Hamilton provides is still present in Preterite’s music but seems to be contained. The minimalistic mist of sweet compositions is brought forward out of the darkness in “Edges of Nowhere” to craft the perfect setting for Beaulieu’s voice. Her vocals are enthralling, glorious to behold, offering redemption or despair to all who listen. The nice, peaceful melodies of the opening track give way to mystical dimensions that the band conjures with “Gleaming Escape”, with the ethereal vocals absorbing your very existence while the instrumentation is pushing you further and further into the depths of despair. Soon enough, an ocean of melancholy is rising through the slow progression of the title track, making the journey take a more introvert turn, awaking emotions and bringing back long forgotten memories. The sound is slowly hypnotizing you, while the bleak creations of Preterite are distorting the reality around you.
The sound from that point on takes a more dramatic turn. The sentimental intro to “Behold Our Sepulchre” soon turns into tension that gradually builds, which contrasts the vocals in the most intriguing of manners. The spiraling melodies are still present, making sure that the dreamlike setting is not interrupted while the sound is getting more menacing. The voyage becomes even more tense with “Plenty of My Own”, while an almost cathartic quality is prevalent in the song. The vocals are still right on the spotlight and the acoustic guitar is slowly encircling you and contributing with its usual mesmerizing sound.
The album finishes with Preterite’s most inspired moment. The band is taking you through their realms, merging together their bright and dark side to create a truly unique moment. The almost folky element of the track is used in a very fascinating way and through its fifteen minutes, Broken Sea, will take you into the lowest foundations of their music and then to its highest peaks, giving the track an enchanting nature.
Preterite’s second album is a truly excellent offering. The most interesting aspect and the winning point of From The Wells is how Beaulieu and Hamilton can strip down their music, creating an album less sonically unconventional but still retaining their edge and experimental nature. You can get From The Wells through Union Finale HERE.
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