ERYN NON DAE
Eryn Non Dae has been garnering some positive press recently surrounding the release of 'Hydra Lernaia'. Most of it focussing on their ability to meld Meshuggah-alike complex riffing with Isis style moodiness. And, they're right of course, it is a potent mix. However, this moody hybrid isn't always on display, and Eryn Non Dae seems to stray too comfortably towards standard math riffing and grumpy vocalising to truly be considered a revolution just yet. Ordinarily of course this wouldn't be a problem; sure, more than too many bands are copying this style and doing it well, but it's still effective. But, when you lay your cards out as being a little more progressive and non-formulaic than the 'me too' crowd, only to revert back to unoriginality sporadically throughout, you are left with the nagging feeling of knowing they can do better. Still, those monumental moments of sparkling greatness are some of the best I've come across in a long while. Full of oppressing doom, and dynamic poly-rhythmic drumming, the songs not only leave a great, but evil sounding, buzz in your ears, they slowly begin to become accessible and, as such, linger in the memory more than the generic tunes. France has already given us the lauded Gojira, so I suspect we are perhaps going to see more of a scene emerging over the next few years. And, if the strengths of this album are to be an indication of the quality, I welcome it. As a debut full-length then, this is a very promising start to what I hope will be an eclectic and rewarding career in extreme music.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Metal Blade Records
Album
HYDRA LERNAIA
Review by Steve Cowan
RUNNING TIME:
55:05
RELEASE DATE:
22nd June 2009
TRACK LISTING
1) When Time Elapses
2) Blistering Hate
3) Existence Asleep
4) The Decline and the Fall
5) Lam Tsol Oua
6) Through Dark Skies
7) Opposites From Within
8) Echoes of Distress
9) Pure
2) Blistering Hate
3) Existence Asleep
4) The Decline and the Fall
5) Lam Tsol Oua
6) Through Dark Skies
7) Opposites From Within
8) Echoes of Distress
9) Pure
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
France
"Full of oppressing doom, and dynamic poly-rhythmic drumming, the songs not only leave a great, but evil sounding, buzz in your ears, they slowly begin to become accessible..."