Any gap of time between releases can just as easily signal great things for a band as much as it can herald the end. Seven years is quite a long time by all accounts, but life can easily get in the way for any of us with it only being a mild setback for the kind of band that is singular in their passion of delivering music be it for the masses or for themselves. I have been waiting for a new work from Altar of Betelgeuze for years now and I never thought it would be a full seven years before we heard again from the act, and yet I find myself willing to wait another seven if we’re guaranteed to get a work like what we have here for the band’s third effort.
Very easily, Altar of Betelgeuze could have taken their sound into any different direction given all that could happen in seven long years. Fortunately for us, however, it’s made clear in just the first few moments of “Echoes” that Altar of Betelgeuze was set only on doubling down on their particular brand of death-doom with a particular focus on the traditional tendencies of the latter alongside a healthy injection of stoner elements to really set the work apart from much of the competition in practically every given aspect. A patient work that is just as titanic as it is heavy, “Echoes” takes its time with its machinations as it lurks in the shadows, taking everything in before executing its schemes. The traditional doom elements really come in out the vocals that are paired gloriously with the instruments that very much encompass what death-doom has long been capable of with it varying levels of intensity and macabre beauty that’s a real sight to behold as Altar of Betelgeuze shows us at practically every turn just how adept they are at this sound with each element that they bring to the table only raising the quality of “Echoes”. Whether you become enticed by the swampy stoner vibes of “Echoes” or the sheer intensity that’s the driving force behind the absolute powerhouse of destruction that this band is, Altar of Betelgeuze has got what you need.
Clearly, the last seven years were well-spent. The natural evolution of the spectacles that came before, “Echoes” stands as the most mature and complete work from Altar of Betelgeuze to date with it not easily comparable to much else throughout the vast underground despite my best efforts to try and do so. This is a record that demands to be recognized for what it brings to the table and all that was poured into it in order to bring it to fruition, and I’ve no doubt the ages will only bring further justice to this flavorful work.
“Echoes” releases on March 22nd via Wiseblood Records!
LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Echoes” on Bandcamp here.
LIKE Altar of Betelgeuze on Facebook here.
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