Chord

Flora

[3.5/5]

The concept of Chord’s debut release–each of the four epic tracks are based around a single chord–will probably deter some potential listeners from giving them a chance. But anyone drawn to metal that’s built on texture, tone and atmosphere rather than hooks and rhythm will find Flora an unusual, intriguing and moving beast. Comprised of four guitarists (including Pelican’s Trevor De Brauw), each player focuses on just one note that makes up the chord the song is based around, and they do with it as they wish, demonstrating their inventiveness and imagination. “Am7,” the most compelling track, is awash with almost transcendental shimmering feedback and ringing guitar tones. A poignant ethereality flows through the piece as it subtly surges and shifts, while “Gmaj (Flat 13)” is a more eerie and unsettling piece, with dissonant whispers of far-off guitar slowly evolving into frail, echo-drenched arpeggios before building into an apocalyptic squall that would make Sunn0))) or Boris proud. “E9” sounds like the sun coming up at the start of an indie film, built on delicate plucking and sleepy Ebowed tones that gradually float away on a bed of fragile droning; and the 16-plus minutes of “Am” rounds out the collection in far more imposing and sinister fashion. From the moment it lurches to life, the song roars with ear-splitting feedback and mechanical string mauling, the sheer harshness of the track making it a difficult but ultimately rewarding listen, closing the door on one of the more ambitious records you will hear this year. (NEUROT) Dan Slessor

GO DOWNLOAD: “Am7”