Kerretta

Pirohia

Written by: LF on 08/10/2014 12:45:19

Kerretta from Auckland, New Zealand are out with their third full-length album and it is a huge sounding one. Their music is instrumental, landing somewhere between post-metal and post-rock, and the tightly knit sound might impress you further when you realize that it is in fact created by a trio covering just drums, bass and guitar. On this record the band has embraced some of their more experimental tendencies, making use of handclaps, marimba and even some Maori chanting as well. While not gripping me initially, this album has really opened up to me after a few listens, and I've come to appreciate the dark and engaging songs they so intelligently compose.

Very much in accord with the chosen cover for this record, the album has a kind of sinister, atmospheric sound that instantly lets you feel the thrilling danger of a metaphorical storm closing in on you. The dark soundscape is heavy with effect-laden riffs and contains plenty of melodic hooks, making this an album that might engage someone who's not normally into instrumental music. For an album with songs as atmospheric as this, "Sister, Come Home" being an excellent example, the energy that has been put into the compositions of the songs succeeds in keeping me interested for a longer time, as they never degenerate into meaningless noise with no direction, although some songs manage better than others.

"Warnlands" was the first song to intrigue me because of its engaging riff that starts light and energetic, before it is ominously and steadily joined underneath by a heavy-set bass, creating a good contrast in the expression and enhancing the overall thrilling impression the albums gives me; that something unknown is circling closer and closer. "Iron Hail" arguably presents us with the heaviest, most uncompromising moments of the album, solidly presented by its harsh intro riff that is intertwined with electronic, haunting tweaks later on. From time to time we are taken in lighter directions as in the more optimistic mood of "The Roar", or the sense of communal spirit communicated by "Kawea Tātou Ki Ngā Hiwi" which features Maori chanting and is to my knowledge the first Kerretta song to have vocals at all.

"Pirohia" seems to get a little better every time I listen to it, and it seems I can't help banging my head to the stronger riffs. The album works well as a unit while most of the songs are able to carve out their own spaces in the bigger picture as well, and this makes it certain that I'll be revisiting them soon enough. Thus continuing a streak of well-produced and solid releases, Kerretta moves ever forward.

Download: Iron Hail; Sister, Come Home; Warnlands; His Streets Of Honey, Her Mouth Of Gold
For The Fans Of: Russian Circles, Pelican, Beware of Safety, Daturah, 65daysofstatic
Listen: facebook.com/kerretta

Release date 05.09.2014
Golden Antenna Records

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