One of the American pioneers of deathgaze, Kardashev are back with Alunea, a collection of eight dynamic tracks set to release on April 25th. Vocalist Mark Garrett has described this as their most “proggy” album to date, and you can definitely hear the band pushing their technical skills and exploring new ground.
“A Precipice. A Door.” really sets the tone. It’s exactly what the title suggests, standing on the edge of something intense before being pulled through a doorway into what Kardashev does best. The intro gives us a hint of themes to come, opening with heart and heaviness. Siren-like vocals and a wall of sound wash over you before crashing into raw growls and powerful screams. If this track doesn’t excite you, it should. The drums keep the momentum alive while the guitar builds a steady, structured rhythm underneath the chaos. It’s emotional, relentless, and totally innovative, everything to love about deathgaze wrapped into one track. What a way to open the album.
“Reunion” is another standout. The rich and expressive guitar and bass hit hard. Towards the end of the track, the lyrics land just as powerfully:
I’ve finally found you!
Weaving words into the air.
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I couldn’t help but feel like that line summed up how I felt discovering this album, like I’d found something I’d been searching for. Kardashev really are weaving words into the air.
“Seed of the Night” gives us a bit of breathing room from the intensity. It features a soulful bassline, an impressive performance from the drummer and beautiful melodic riffs from the guitarist. The vocals also shine here, this is the track that makes me want to sing along to every word. Even as it slows down, the emotion doesn’t let up. Crashing cymbals, double kicks, and layered harmonies hit in just the right way. It’s blissful, but still powerful. Honestly, I’m still in awe of the vocalist’s range.
The rest of the album is just as much of a journey, but I won’t spoil it. If you haven’t listened to Kardashev yet, Alunea is a perfect place to start. These guys are pushing the genre forward, and I’ve got no doubt they’ll stand the test of time.
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Check out our interview with drummer Sean Lang
Alunea is out on April 25th
Header image by Scream Dudes
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