Hope Drone
Cloak Of Ash
Relapse Records
Release Date: Out Now
Review by Matt Bolton
The endless talent to come out of the Australian metal scene at the moment is mind blowing with bands such as King Parrot, Ne Oblivisicaris and Adrift for Days who supported Neurosis in Sydney. Another act that also supported Neurosis on this tour in their home town of Brisbane was Hope Drone. Signing to Relapse Records the band is another Australian band surely to cause some excitement after the release of the epic, Cloak of Ash. It’s no wonder that they were the perfect band to support Neurosis with their blending of sludge and black metal.
Opening track, Unending Grey, clocking in at just over 20 minutes kicks off with some blast beats and some intense vocals from Christopher Rowden. Aaron Pickersgill provides pummelling bass that packs a wallop throughout with both Chris and Karl Hartwig teaming up on the guitar to create some black metal riff wizardry. Going from black metal to spaced-out sludge in the vein of Neurosis and Isis. The album is faultless with each song playing their part. The atmosphere is phenomenal and the lads have done an amazing job. Favourite track for me would have to be Every End Is Fated in its Beginning. The drum work of Francis Keil is top-notch and of high calibre.
The album takes you on a journey and it is encouraged to listen to late at night on full blast taking in the full 80 minutes of the album as it is an experience in itself.
