EP Review: Cult of Luna – The Raging River (Red Creek Recordings)

On February 5th, Cult of Luna will release a new EP, entitled The Raging River, via Red Creek – the band’s newly created record label, which will be physically distributed by Metal Blade Records (in North America) and Season of Mist (in Europe).

Cult of Luna comments about Red Creek:

After more than 20 years of touring, releasing albums and experiencing different kinds of deals and aspects of the music industry, we believed that it was the right time for us to seek more freedom and to reduce the distance between us and our audience.

So, in 2020, Red Creek was born. It has been created as a safe home for our art, but we wanted to do more and offer our experience, expertise and network to the artists we love and believe in.

Cult of Luna are one of the most consistent bands in the world. They don’t do bad releases and to see them not only release yet another exemplary effort but do so on their own label, is so very pleasing. Beginning in echoing darkness and with an eerie vibe, Three Bridges explodes into life with Cult of Luna’s trademark post-metal crushing heaviness. Where the savage vocals and thumping drums work off the haunting and melodic guitars to epic effect. If you have loved Cult of Luna to date, this opener just deepens that affection.

What I Leave Behind is just as intense but is less organised and a hell of a lot darker sounding. It is then followed by the chilled, mellow and melancholic Inside of A Dream which features Mark Lanegan on vocals. Delivering a haunting experience.

I Remember has a similar melancholic sound but one rooted in the heavier side of Cult of Luna’s sound. Rumbling bass and echoing guitar strums are drawn out to excruciating lengths and just when it begins to get too much, Cult of Luna erupt with all their might. A bleak but thrilling effort.

Which brings us to the end of another classic from the band and it’s Wave After Wave that draws the blinds closed. 12+ minutes of uncomfortable noise that is rigidly focused on tearing down mental defences with the rigid beat taken apart bit by bit by guitars that drift ominously along. It’s a Cult of Luna epic as only they can do.

Once again, the band have proven just why they are considered at the forefront of post-metal. The Raging River is an excellent release.

Cult of Luna – The Raging River Full Track Listing:

1. Three Bridges
2. What I leave Behind
3. Inside of A Dream (featuring Mark Lanegan)
4. I Remember
5. Wave After Wave

Links

Bandcamp | Website | Red Creek Recordings