Beginning in 2002, Phragments is a band from Slovakia that in the past had music mostly within the martial industrial genre, but 'Earth Shall Not Cover Their Blood' generally eschews the bombastic symphonic and martial qualities found on the bands other releases in favor of a calmer ambient soundscape approach.
The music generally carries a very strong dark tone to it and in a way it could very well remind someone of a post apocalyptic event playing out. Of course some industrial characteristics can still be found within these songs, though the martial percussion is sparsely used and not nearly as powerful sounding as before. On the synth side of things they don't really have that nearly authentic orchestral sound that drew comparisons to In Slaughter Natives or Karjalan Sissit, but rather they simply move in a slow dark ominous direction. Interestingly enough both a violin and cello are used on this record, though it seems very likely that they will be mistaken as being synthesized.
Obviously Phragments has under gone some changes within their craft, though I surely wont complain even one bit since Matej has created something truly dark, sinister, and otherworldly on this full length.
I still cannot decide if I like this release or not. :\
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by it's sound as well, but it's a decent ambient record and it's always nice to throw on when reading or something.
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