Dirge (FR)
Hyperion


4.5
superb

Review

by teamster USER (3 Reviews)
April 30th, 2014 | 28 replies


Release Date: 2014 | Tracklist

Review Summary: If you have patience, you can enjoy this substantial piece of post metal.

Dirge put out an album in 2011 that I consider to be one of the finest post/sludge/atmospheric metal albums of all time. I read a prefect quote about it at the time of its release: "A chilled out version of Rosetta" - and it's so true. Elysian Magnetic Fields has an impressive list of credentials: Long, droning metallic songs infused with flawless programming, keyboards and soundscapes. Not as hard or obliterating as Rosetta, instead it chugs along at a more mesmerizing and slower pace - doom metal is very much a part of Dirge's legacy - and has been delicately branded into their specific style of post metal since their inception in 1994.

I've been on the Dirge bandwagon ever since wondering how the hell can they top their last masterpiece. One could argue Hyperion is Elysian Magnetic Fields II but I have no problem with a band sticking to their trademark sound as long as it continues to be distinctive and interesting. Six songs clocking in at just over sixty minutes, lace up your shoes and get ready for a colossal undertaking as you march through this immense album. Thankfully, their are so many details to indulge in, Hyperion is worthy of multiple listens that will allow you to cherish every last second of it.

This time around Dirge have incorporated some different aspects into their music. Songs such as "Filigree" and the 16 minute marathon "Remanentie" welcome some industrial elements into the fray. Electronic percussion is a nice change of pace that works well with pristine hypnotic tones that carry much of the album. Clean vocals and female voice interchange with harsh, drowned out screams. All of these precise intricacies add a new level to Dirge's gentile mixture of light and heavy moments through out the album. In fact, what makes Dirge so good at what they do is their ability to sync soothing and abrasive
layers of ambient noise, feedback and distorted guitars into a tremendous musical up taking consisting of songs about despair and desolation.

One negative for new Dirge listeners may be the diligent pace of the album. If you can be content with the not so many ups and downs and overall lethargic gate of the songs, Hyperion will be a very rewarding listening experience and will introduce you to a whole new angle of dense and uncelestial brand of post metal. It isn't easy to dissect Hyperion's formula but with stream-lined deliberation you can experience the thoughtfulness that went into such an immersive album. A massive release like this requires intense attention to detail and I hope you join me on this expansive journey.


user ratings (72)
3.9
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
teamster
April 30th 2014


6292 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Not my first rodeo, I have been guest-submitting reviews on another website - but I am in no means a professional. Constructive criticism welcome!



I want to see how the Sputnik crowd feels about this album.





Evreaia
April 30th 2014


5405 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great review, and amazing album. One of the best from 2014 so far.



Personally I find them very similar to labelmates Year of No Light

TheBarber
April 30th 2014


4130 Comments


band wasn't too bad when I saw them, pretty muddy

wacknizzle
May 1st 2014


14555 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Good review, glad it finally got one because more people need to hear this. Been meaning to jam the album again, might up my rating.





FearThyEvil
May 1st 2014


18806 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Great album but I wouldn't call it substantial. The last track is also a really big negative to me when it comes to this album. It's 16 mins with very little variation and a repeating melody that hardly goes anywhere and basically remains until the end. Still, the others songs on here are pretty good and gladly make up for that.

Imperial
May 7th 2014


2083 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Great review! This is the first Dirge album i've listened to and it's just great. I can't believe this isn't blowing up on Sputnik. I think these guys are going to end up replacing that void in my heart left by ISIS. The atmosphere in 'Hyperion Under Glass' when it breaks down after the intro is unreal. I'm sure i'll have more favourite parts in the album with more listens.

RogueNine
November 14th 2015


5676 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Jamming some Parisian metal tonight in honor of those lost.

PistolPete
August 11th 2017


5306 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Was reading this band is planning to release an EP of 5 instrumental tracks by end of year as well as a full album sometime before the halfway point of 2018. I liked this album a lot so consider me pumped.

http://dirge.fr/index.html

Jots
Emeritus
December 23rd 2017


7584 Comments


speaking of
https://dirgeparis.bandcamp.com/album/alma-baltica

teamster
December 24th 2017


6292 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yup , I’m not a big ambient guy, looking forward to the new LP in ‘18.

PistolPete
December 25th 2017


5306 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

EP is surprisingly solid for what it is (and a bit more guitar-driven then you'd think) but I agree I need more "actual" post metal in my life

RogueNine
January 21st 2019


5676 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Well until the new Lantlos comes out (if it does), I'll be spinning the title track from their new album because that's about as close as I'll get.

teamster
March 9th 2019


6292 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Dirge is no more. Broke up. So sad news for me.

PistolPete
March 10th 2019


5306 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

That absolutely sucks to hear, I know they were one of your faves. At least we got one last album from them before.

Sniff
March 10th 2019


8185 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

rip ahrd

Lucman
March 16th 2019


5537 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This band is flippin incredible.

teamster
March 17th 2019


6292 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Top 5 post metal band of all time for me ...

Lucman
March 17th 2019


5537 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This is my first post-metal band I believe unless I've been ignorantly jamming one unawares lol. I have Isis on the list next but are there any others you'd recommend?

teamster
March 17th 2019


6292 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Cult Of Luna

Mouth Of The Architect

Irreversible

Amenra

Neurosis

necropig
July 25th 2019


7440 Comments


Need a ahrd check on this band it seems



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