EP Review: Mountainscape – Traversing Realms (Road to Masochist)

Mountainscape, the cinematic post-metal band from Reading, England, are back with their brand-new EP, ‘Traversing Realms’, out July 24th, via Road Masochist. A journey through the music and works of imagination that had inspired their own creative endeavours.

The vision behind this EP is fascinating. Mountainscape aren’t just covering music from Dune or the Elder Scrolls, but rather they are using the themes and melodies, breaking them down, and rebuilding them into something else, Mountainscape style. Something familiar, but something fresh and exciting.

It’s a brave thing to take on Hans Zimmer, but Mountainscape approach Dune with respect, and no small amount of confidence.

What comes to mind when you think of Dune? For me, it’s grandeur and scale, the sense of standing in the shadows of monolithic giants, trying to understand something so alien, but to no avail. Yet, there’s also something so human there too. Mountainscape capture all this in an unexpected way, delivering a faster and more intense post-driven experience that breaks apart on the bedrock of melody and atmosphere. Taking us on an immersive journey for nearly ten minutes. If all this wasn’t enough to make it a must listen, there’s a stunning guest spot for Amaya López-Carromero (Maud the Moth, Healthy Living) on it too.

I like Dune, but The Elder Scrolls is more my jam. One of the greatest game franchises ever, with one of the best soundtracks. To hear Mountainscape capture the vibrancy of the series’ atmosphere, to hear them transform melodies that have lulled me to sleep, to hear them make an epic experience sound even bigger and bolder, is special. I love how intense this one gets, the clattering of instruments and the shifting heaviness, making the melodies even more potent. It’s one of the best songs I’ve heard this year.

It’s tough for Closure to following that, however a shift to something more personal and relatable, ensures this beautiful piece has plenty of impact too. A track that constantly drives forward, moving through immersive stages, until it reaches a heavy crescendo and dissipates in ethereal fashion. Stunning.

I am blown away by this release, and a substantial three tracks simply feels like not enough. I want more, but if I’m honest, Mountainscape often leave me feeling that way, which is testament to their creative abilities.

Mountainscape – Traversing Realms Track Listing:

1. Dune (featuring Amaya Lopez-c)
2. The Elder Scrolls
3. Closure

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Road to Masochist