Review Summary: Long Distance Calling are back on track.
German post-rock (or post-metal, however the listener wants to categorize them) band Long Distance Calling have returned with a new record, entitled
The Flood Inside. Following the previous, less spectacular self-titled effort,
The Flood Inside defies expectations, becoming a serious contender for the band's magnum opus, being tied to their 2009 masterpiece,
Avoid The Light.
Parting ways with founding member Reimut Von Bonn and boldly deciding to permanently include Martin Fischer on vocals and keyboards, fans would be unsure of what to expect of the new Long Distance Calling record. Needless to say, the music exceeded predictions, becoming one of their strongest records. There is a lot to love on
The Flood Inside, as there is a continuous dynamic shift from heavy to soft and back taking place over the course of an hour. It can easily be seen the band spent a lot of time fine tuning the songs, since every bit is carefully constructed for a great flow. This is clear from the opener "Nucleus", which features all the characteristics that made Long Distance Calling recognizable among a sea of bands. The dreamy chords playing over the dense looped rhythm sections offer a lovely, yet uneasy vibe that soon bursts with the heavy guitar riffs. The bluesy solo towards the end gives another dimension to the song, before it switches back to a crushing finale.
Even if Long Distance Calling successfully balance both heavy riffs with softer, dreamy passages, the latter are the more rewarding ones. "Inside The Flood" and "Ductus" make use of the same two side formula, but the eerie parts feel like the calm before the storm. Whether the lush guitars on the former, or the Eastern-influenced rhythms along with the electronic touches reminiscent of Maserati, the relaxed atmosphere, which threatens to disrupt at any point, gives a really pleasant, eerie feeling only increased by the hard rocking segments. New member Fischer sounds like a storyteller, intervening only when he's needed, leaving the instruments to drive the record. His voice has power and it works well with all the interspersed samples throughout.
Still, The Flood Inside loses momentum towards the end with the flat, rather predictable "The Man Within", but rapidly picks up again with "Breaker", which feels like a long conclusion to this epic adventure. From the dual guitars interplay, tight drumming to the keyboard patterns, every member has a great contribution, making the track another highlight and ending the record on a high note.
In the end, anyone who had a doubt regarding Long Distance Calling and their latest offering, needs to give
The Flood Inside a spin. It is an essential album of theirs and a strong record in the genre, so fan or not check this out.
