Earth – Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II

Posted on 6th Feb 12 by Jonathan Keane | 0

When Dylan Carlson’s Earth released Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I back in early 2011, Carlson surely left a few beards being stroked. Their first album since 2008, it was the first of a grand double concept album affair that is finally being seen through now. This, the second instalment, initially scheduled for release last winter was delayed for reasons unknown, and its predecessor took Earth into more areas of improv and with Lori Goldston’s cello playing in tow, so the record took on a suitably grandiose feel.

2008’s The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull was, as Dylan put it, a busier record, by Earth standards, and II sees the continuation of the band’s long, meandering, slowly crouching melodies become even sparser, if that was possible.

Again, the cello is all over this album adding the rich dynamic that made part one such an enthralling listen. Of course, regardless of the changes made since The Bees Made…, this latest offering from Earth won’t be converting any of the naysayers. They have a difficult sound, it isn’t bustling with activity and it’s not like the old wall of sound drone that characterised the Earth records of yore, most notably Earth 2: Special Low Frequency Version.

Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II is rather an exercise in musical perseverance, for such a sparse sound it exudes, as clichéd as it sounds, much feeling and the longer you stick with it, the more it begins to uncloak itself for you.

Waltz (A Multiplicity of Doors) is a song that Earth have been playing live as far back as the touring schedule for Angels…I started. At 13 minutes in length, it is the song that really captures the essence of this record, and Lori Goldston’s cello playing is its most fruitful and invigorating.

The Rakehell is the album’s curtain call, with the usual lengthy track, and some of Carlson’s most sultry guitar playing in found here with utterly hypnotic lead guitars slowly swimming around the ceremonial-like drums of Adrienne Davies, bringing the album to a close.

Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II beautifully rounds out this duo of records, in a suitably mellow fashion. Part one set a very high standard so perhaps it’s not a surprise that part two isn’t quite at the same quality, which sounds like a negative statement. It’s not, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II is another beautiful Earth album.

Drop-d Rating: 7/10

Earth

Tags: Adrienne Davies, Angels of Darkness Demons Of Light, drone, Dylan Carlson, Earth, Lori Goldston