Fields of Locust – Subtopia
Release date: 2010Jun22 (EU)
Label: Self-released
Rating: 5/5
With Isis gone, many bands are competing for the title of best post-metal band in the world. In one corner, we have Consecration, a group of some pretty incredible Serbian guys. In another, there’s Irepress, whose mix of metal, prog rock, and electronica is one of the most original sounds I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing. Then we’ve got Pelican, Cult of Luna, and Minsk, who are all fairly well-established names (just as a note, this is a hexagonal fighting ring). In the last corner, a D.I.Y. band from Greece called Fields of Locust is just entering the battle, and you know what, they actually might take the cake.
Somehow, FoL managed to create Subtopia entirely with their own money. This is incredible, considering both the ridiculously high level of writing present here and the fact that the production is awesome. While not the cleanest sounding recording I’ve ever heard, it fits the music perfectly. It’s gritty, grainy, and bleak. The album itself sounds like no other band I’ve heard. At the same time, it sounds familiar. In this way, it doesn’t take much adjustment, an unusual feat for such a unique sound. I realize I haven’t actually described the sound, however. Allow me to do so:
Fields of Locust are the product of Neurosis, Pelican, Isis, and Rosetta all combining to create one band that can only be described as epic. It’s slow and sludgy with occasional tinges of heavy fuzz. Vocalist/guitarist Mihalis brings the best thing to the table, however, with a voice so powerful it could probably have matched the force of Little Boy and Fat Man combined. It lies somewhere on the spectrum between Mike Armine (Rosetta) and supernova. Get the point across? Good.
I seriously cannot wait to hear more from this band in the coming years. They need to be signed. If any record label reps are here on this site reading this review right now, take some goddamn notes. Fields of Locust would make a great addition to your roster.
Go listen to this album right now FOR FREE. It is available as a download straight from the band’s blog right here!
A Best of 2010 pick!
FCC: 3
Try 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
01. The Province of Thieves
02. Under a Hunter’s Moon
03. Wolves…
04. An Entrance to Altered Mindtrips
05. Momentary Lapse
06. Fog
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