Heavy metal no longer exists on the fringes, as fans of groups such as Deafheaven and Calgary’s Numenorean will be quick to point out. Both bands recently rocked ears at a sold-out show at Sled Island, where Numenorean received a warm hometown welcome from the local metalheads. But the post-black metal collective won’t be Calgary’s best-kept secret for long if their new album, Home, is any indication.
A bone-crushing yet surprisingly graceful debut, Home makes the case that metal, when it’s done right, might be the most dynamic genre around. Melodies peek their way out of the sonic forests that brothers Brandon and Byron Lemley plant across every track, offering just enough pleasure to counterbalance all the raw pain. According to the band, “Home is a tumultuous voyage where waves of hope and solace carry you over oceans of despair. It is an experience that forces you to choose either to drown in the collective misery or fight to keep your head above the great nothingness that threatens to pull you into its existential abyss.”
The phrase “tumultuous voyage” sounds about right. Unlike the place you actually call home, Home can be a deeply disturbing and strangely uplifting experience — oftentimes all in the span of a single track. There’s not much in the way of comfort to be found here, but who listens to black metal in hopes of being coddled?
Home is due out July 22nd. Listen to the full album below.
Home Album Artwork:
Home Track List:
01. Home
02. Thirst
03. Shoreless
04. Devour
05. Laid Down
Numenorean 2016 Tour Dates:
08/06 – Calgary, AB @ Dickens *
09/08 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen #
09/09 – Detroit, MI @ Pike Room #
09/10 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison #
09/11 – Montreal, QC @ Le Ritz #
09/13 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott #
09/15 – White Hall, MD @ Shadow Woods Fest #
09/18 – Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter #
09/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade #
09/20 – Nashville, TN @ The End #
09/21 – St Louis, MO @ Fubar #
* = w/ Altars of Grief
# = w/ Ghost Bath