Locrian are a 2-piece drone band from Chicago. They have an impressively long list of albums in their discography for only being around since 2005. Their older material was made up of long, ambient, drone pieces that were dark and intense but on their 2013 LP "Return to Annihilation" they have brought out a much more focused sounding record while still holding onto their drone roots.
The album is a unique mix of black metal, drone, and post rock while utilizing many electronic aspects throughout it all. The first track "Eternal Return" beings with dark sounding synth and immediately goes into post rock sounding section with screamed vocals. Already this record feels different than the previous Locrian releases because they waste no time in getting to the point. The second track "A visitation from the Wrath of Heaven" shows Locrian using their drone style but with more drum work with an almost dark synth pop feel. The majority of the track is very repetitive and once the listener feels like the track isn't going anywhere special, it does in almost the last minute, bringing it to a very epic finish.
These first two tracks give the listener a very good taste of what is to come. Return to Annihilation is full of dark drone moments that require patience but they ultimately pay off. The last track is well worth the wait as it encompasses every sound Locrian has mastered in their short lifespan and ends in a very satisfying way.
This was the first Locrian record I ever listened to and after hearing it I immediately went back through their catalog. I was very surprised at how their sound has evolved and how they have become more focused with each subsequent release. If you are a fan of more experimental sounding black metal with a great mood that is both dark and trance-like, then this is for you. Similar sounding albums would be Altar of Plague's "Teethed Glory and Injury" and Spectral Lore's "III" but with a much more electronic approach to it.
