Countervela (IRL) | ‘Date Created’

Countervela’s last demo was excellent, fusing post rock and metal expansively and interestingly. Apologies to the lads, as this one was actually released a while back, and has sat too long in the pile. It’s a worthy follow up, but not one without its blemishes.

The good thing about the band is the sense of longing in their riffs. Similar to their last demo, one feels that when they shout they mean it. When they bring the arm down on the chord, it’s done with intensity and earnestness.

Opener ‘Least Expected Turns’ has lots of just that mood. It’s slow and swelling, with nice digital ambiences in the background; unsurprisingly given the shared personnell, it also reminds much of Stand Up Guy. Good though this track is however, it doesnt deliver - and just as it reaches it’s peak, retreats into nothing, and ends abruptly. That’s a little confusing, given that they could credibly have let it unfurl for at least another two satisfying minutes.

Middle track ‘All That’s Safe and Sacred’ is the standout here. The reason is its ‘Waiting for someone to blame‘ hook, which by allowing itself to properly develop generates great power and feel. It’s here that the production shines through as well, with full and generous guitar, bass and drums mixing well with the soft background swathe sounds. It’s excellent.

I’m not so confident about final track ‘The Sum Of’. It’s dumbed down in comparison to the other two. It’s not as subtle, somehow not as authentic, and really just a vehicle to show off some rather dull rhythmic stops. As always, polyrhythms and beat trickery are only cool if they’re part of a decent song, and it’s hard to call this one.

Overall then, Countervela continue to show their relevance with this thoughtful and atmospheric post rock / metal mix. I think though they’ve got to concentrate on that special atmosphere they’re ably capable of making. The stompy stuff just sounds immature by comparison.

Ciaran Tracey ::: 27/01/10