Noise Trail Immersion - Symbology of Shelter Review

Overview

• Symbology of Shelter by Noise Trail Immersion is a metal album that attempts to blend complex rhythmic and harmonic elements.
• The band aims to combine approaches from different metal schools, like Meshuggah and Deathspell Omega.
• The album is a forty-three-minute composition divided into seven interconnected parts.

Album Composition

• Features two main song suites: "Repulsion and Escapism I and II" and "The Empty Earth".
  • Repulsion and Escapism I and II: Energetic, explore connected melodies and dissonance.
  • The Empty Earth: Slower, cohesive but torturously paced.
• Acrimonious serves as a centerpiece with frenzied hardcore elements.

Musical Style

• Mix of mathy and dissonant sounds, providing a unique listening experience.
• Highlights dynamic shifts from aggressive to slower, sludgy tempos.
• Luster diminishes in slower sections, creating a quality dip.
• Conceptual arc from chaotic to morose sludge, ending in a fractured conclusion.

Critical Reception

• Strengths:
  • Ambitious composition, largely succeeds as a conceptual arc.
  • Appeals to fans of blackened hardcore and progressive metal.
• Weaknesses:
  • Slower sections lack the dynamic intensity of faster parts.
  • Feels more like a sludgy black metal album than a genre fusion.

Final Thoughts

• The album is a solid effort with room for growth.
• Rating: 3.0/5.0
• Highlights the potential for future releases to fully realize the band's vision.
• Released by Moment of Collapse Records on November 2nd, 2018.

Additional Information

• Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
• DR: 5
• Websites:
  • Bandcamp
  • Facebook