Dreamarcher are a Norwegian metal band and this is their latest EP.
Dreamarcher’s 2016 self-titled debut album was notable for its atypical approach to emotive heavy music. It was an enjoyable album, and Harding is even more so.
The impressive musical skills of the jazz-trained band members are put to good use across these 18 minutes of non-standard delivery and passionate intensity.
The band’s post-metal/hardcore style reflects their interests in crafting music that mixes abrasive harshness with moments of beauty and splendour. In this way the songs mimic the natural world, which I doubt is a coincidence.
I like that Dreamarcher incorporate many different styles and influences into their rather eclectic sound. Everything from raw black metal to light, jaunty indie rock is explored on this relatively brief EP. In between this we get emotive blackened shoegaze, (Deafheaven is a decent reference point), rhythmic post-metal, (elements of Isis and Neurosis can be heard), hardcore fury, (maybe a bit of Beecher?), progressive rock, modern doom, (think a band like The Ocean), and even a brief moment of death metal. It’s a heady mix that I’m sure will find some people reaching for the skip button, but I’m not one of them.
The band’s style is definitely unusual, and they certainly have more of an individual sound than most. Despite my feeble attempts to describe aspects of their music above, the reality is that they fuse their various parts easily and fluidly together, resulting in songs that largely fall on the post-metal/hardcore spectrum.
Harding sees Dreamarcher refining and developing the sound that they showcased so well on their debut album. This is a very strong release, one that ably demonstrates what we might be treated to in the future if the band continue with their creative vision.
Very highly recommended.