I've never dived into the worlds of noisecore or post-metal. Post-metal, like mail-metal?! Like you order an album and it's posted to you? Haha okay, stupid genre names aside. Irish band Ilenkus (I tried to search about that name's origins, but to no avail *) rose from the ashes of FUBAR in 2010, with the same five-man line-up. They are here with their debut full length album 'Rule by Thieves'. Let's give this one a shot!
It is impossible to pinpoint Ilenkus' style to one genre. I mean, it's never needed to, in my opinion, it just might help a reviewer, haha. Well, buyers, more like. The music fluctuates between very calm moments and frenzied attacks. The songs build up and mutate during their sometimes long durations. Therefore, this is far from easy listening department. Plus, every song is somewhat different to other. Guitar work can be anything from slow atmospherics to metallic riffage. Tempos are usually about math, meaning that they aren't rock regulars. Just listen that guy beat the shite outta his kit! The vocals are incredibly varying; from throat ripping screams and shouts to soft singing, and a lot of things from between them. That's no wonder, as three guys are singing, as well as playing guitars. Electronic bits of 'Phoenix' get two thumbs up from me; more of this next time, please. Generally, Ilenkus sound very North American. Their music have character, but some influence are bands such as Botch, Isis, Kyuss and Mastodon. A word of warning: There aren't many straight parts this album to be heard, but a listener should be adventurous in one's musical tastes.
The album sounds like it was recorded live. There's is a lot of volatile energy flowing on, as well as jamming style freedom. Instruments and vocals are well balanced throughout the album, as there is no muddling happening. A welcome way of production in this world of plastic and computer-fixed music!
For me, it's hard, if not impossible, to set against similar music and bands. I'll just say, that I was expecting a total disaster here, but found out, that this is actually rather listenable for noisecore/post-metal. The songs just include interesting bits as they go on. This trait, for what I've heard with other bands of this ilk, isn't common at all. Ilenkus are both eccentric and controlling. I bet this makes noisecore fans salivate.
* Josh Guyett kindly told me: "The word Ilenkus comes originally from the Greek word Elenchus and is a form of debate commonly known as Socratic Method."Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained
Reviewed by Lane
02/16/2012 14:48
