Restless Spirit are a metal band from the US and this is their third album.
Afterimage contains 38 minutes of heavy, moreish music that’s infectiously delivered by a band that clearly know what they’re doing. Restless Spirit are not to be ignored. Fans of acts such as Somnuri, Witch Ripper, Khemmis, and Spirit Adrift please take note.
Afterimage is an album of direct-impact hooks and instant presence. Although in general this can sometimes lead to a style over substance approach, that isn’t the case here, and Restless Spirit have more than enough depth in their music to keep drawing you back for more. By dint of catchy songwriting and memorable riffs, Afterimage ensures that you return to its shores for further visits without complaint.
Restless Spirit have stoner/doom influences, but also don’t fit neatly into this genre. For example, this central aspect, (of sorts), is augmented with metallic elements that sit outside of that style, picking up bits and bobs from all over the place, allowing Restless Spirit to not neatly fit into any one category. That they have some aggressive hardcore and thrash metal influences also shines though here and there. The band’s melting pot of styles manifests fully formed in the riffs, melodies, and singing, which are simply less tired sounding than those of many ostensibly similar acts, and have a different flavour. This all goes a long way in helping the band to avoid many of the tropes that usually bog down many such stoner/doom-adjacent albums.
Ultimately, the collection of songs on Afterimage simply offers a well-written and well-delivered slab of metal. The album mixes together metallic stomp, melodic weight, riff worship, and classic song-focused songwriting, to create something greater than the sum of its parts. It’s an anthemic approach that allows Restless Spirit to showcase their skills in no uncertain terms.
Afterimage rocks. It’s a quality album that delivers the goods. It’s heavy, catchy, and packed with top tracks. It’s the sort of metal album that hits the right spots, and then drags you back for more
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 