With their last album, Zeng, still luring keen attention since its release last October, the Debrecen hailing Perihelion now immerse ears and imagination in further emotively and atmospherically fuelled landscapes through a new EP. The four track proposal of Hold, the Hungarian for moon, provides three new ventures into the band’s striking fusion of post rock/metal and their haunting take on Sycamore Trees, a track from the soundtrack of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me originally sung by jazz vocalist Jimmy Scott. Together they captivate and lure the listener into shadowy avenues and epic landscapes of sound and emotion; provocative pastures seemingly expanding and becoming more enjoyably fascinating with every listen.
Formed in 2014, though apparently the band had been active well before then in a different guise, Perihelion released their first EP in 2014, Nap fele néz sopon followed by a self-titled album that same year. As mentioned, Zeng pushed the band towards greater awareness last year while revealing the increasing growth and boldness in the band’s sound and a maturity which has been honed even further within Hold.
The EP opens with the seriously thrilling Feneketlen and straight away keys warmly hug the senses. An initial melodic jangle stirs ears as provocative enterprise and suggestiveness courtesy of guitarists Gyula Vasvári and Krisztián Szabados equally wraps the listener in melodically and emotionally enthralling expression, their descriptive prowess matched by the former’s instantly impressing and rousing vocals. Melancholic and beautiful, atmospherically majestic and intimately plaintive, the track seduces ears and imagination with ease with the bass of Balázs Hubicska just as gripping while adding a dark contrast to the sonic elegance around it.
Setting the pinnacle of the release straight away, the outstanding opener is followed by the equally dramatic and emotionally fired Szárnyakon. Its climate is far muggier than its predecessor and carrying volatility which infests everything from the tenacious and inventive rhythms of drummer Barna Katonka, through the poetic yet clamorous invention of the guitars, to Vasvári’s heart flamed vocals. Again ears and thoughts are quickly and eagerly involved, continuing to be so as the song evolves into the EP’s quieter title track. It is calm in voice and tone though it also has a simmering tempestuousness to it with escapes midway to challenge and equally excite the senses and appetite, even if the absorbing track does not quite ignite the passions to the heights of the first pair.
Sycamore Trees retains all the mystery and dark theatre of the original while bathing its crooning roar in thicker post rock atmospherics. It is a fine way to finish off the EP, the guitars replacing the brass bred jazziness of the soundtrack version with their own emotively empowered sonic imagination as Vasvári again vocally captivates.
Hold is one of those proposals which you fear might miss the depth of attention it deserves but it certainly be a big step in the breakthrough of Perihelion towards those intense spotlights. There is something different and special about the band’s sound which differs from most other post rock and post metal proposals; that is reason enough to give their EP a real go.
The Hold EP is released on CD and digitally May 20th via Apathia Records @ https://apathiarecords.bandcamp.com/album/hold
https://www.facebook.com/perihelionofficial
Pete RingMaster 20/05/2016
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
