“The hourglass is filled with blood.“
A droning fills your ears as “Gloria” begins, eventually building up into angry riffs and drumming. It is evident right off the bat, even to someone who might be uninitiated in music, that the major influence of Irist is Gojira. Energetic and melodious riffs chime and whisper Gojira every second, especially when paired with vocals which are in the same vein.
However, Irist are much more than just a Gojira knock-off. Gloria provides a perfect insight into the band’s capabilities. Comprised of two hard hitting songs on each side of an ominous interlude, and having a perfect length of 22 minutes, not a second has been wasted across the actual songs. “Heal” is full of catharsis, reflecting the band’s trying times and painting bleak imagery. “III” sits in a weird spot. Almost a minute long interlude on an EP of all things just doesn’t seem right, and feels like needless fluff. Additionally, it contributes absolutely nothing to the sound, merely a low hum going on for its entirety.
With the interlude out of the way, the remaining two songs are easily the best songs from the EP. Subtle electronic and noise elements have been incorporated, in addition to the Gojira-esque sound they have going on for them. Gigantic, looming, and bereft of bravado, interwoven with slower bits to alleviate each other, “Stray Ablaze” and “Watchful Eye” are the undeniable highlights.
It is easy to get lost and write Irist off as another Gojira clone on the surface, but taking a deep dive into the sound, it sucks you in completely in the space of a few seconds of listening. Solidifying themselves as capable artists, the Atlanta-based quartet deserve your undivided attention for what is to come next. They might well surprise you.
7/10
Irist is out this Friday via Nuclear Blast, and can be pre-ordered here.