Review Summary: This is eternity
A perfect score is something I tend to be very hesitant towards awarding an album. There’s a lot of things that albums can work on from less filler to song structure, lyricism, etc., etc. Also, giving albums perfect ratings often gives the impressions of noncritical thinking, shallow expectations, or biased motives, but with Marche Funébre the case is not so. Red Apollo craft an album that is captivating and breathtaking as it shines with melancholic grace.
From the first chords on “SIOPE” to the last line in “A Sea of Trees” Red Apollo play a very sad, reminiscent, and depressing style of atmospheric sludge metal. Marche Funébre’s 30 minute length will end seamlessly due to it’s rather upbeat tempo. A six song tracklist works great as songs weave together creating an experience that stays present through until the end. Vocalist Kreso keeps an earnest sincerity as he yells amidst Bjorn and David’s impressive guitarwork. Christoph solidifies the band’s sludgy backbone with a thick sound that thankfully is not lost within the wall of noise. Sascha commands with his array of fills and pounding drums that never get stale as he is constantly adding to Red Apollo’s driving force.
As aforementioned, all the songs have a melancholic aura surrouding their songwriting. Sludge has always been a genre that thrives on heavy, bleak, and raw power to convey darkness, despair, brokenness, pain, and anguish. It’s never blindly communicated but rather, in a form that almost appears hopeful. It’s as if amidst a scorched and desolate earth one finds life or personal toil and trials bring clarity. So is the way of Red Apollo. Marche Funébre will emotionally drain it’s listener, and absolutely stun those who are willing to embark on it’s journey.
Red Apollo excel at keeping interest especially due to their songs that span an average of five minutes. There’s never a dull moment as the band simply does not let up. As the interlude of “The Vow” glides along there’s a brooding force that can be felt building ever so slightly in the distance and when the band hits at full force, it’s an overwhelming and satisfying feeling. “Ordeal” has an intro similar to something that sludge lords Amenra would craft in their ten minute onslaughts. Songs like “Häxanhammer” feature material that would be heard in a Downfall of Gaia album with bright melodies amongst bleak and crushing riffs.
Marche Funébre is not an album that can simply be listened to. It requires more than an average metal album. Emotions will be run dry, feelings will be bleak, but it’s not in vain. Red Apollo have certainly made a masterpiece reflecting the toils of man.
5/5
