Review Summary: A scaling back into solid stoner-space rock
SLIFT’s fourth album could be seen as a scaling back in light of its colossal predecessors, its forty-minute runtime being a near half hour shorter in comparison. However, the opening title track shows the group not holding back in its stoner-space metal grandeur. A near nine-minute rousing is nebulously divided between Neurosis-edge trudging spruces up by ornate synth flourishes and that plays like Acid King at their most ethereal.
From there, “Corrupted Sky” and “The Village” settle into the sort of heavy prog ala Elder or Stoned Jesus with similarly jumpy keys and a sense of pacing that is simultaneously urgent yet drawn out. “A Storm Of Wings” gives the groove a cheekier tone with a rumble reminiscent of Melvins. Their spacey structuring can lend itself to some dissociative sequences but it maintains cohesion through the stylistic jumps.
By Fantasia’s end, it settles into an almost calming post-sludge. “Orbis Tertius” and “Waiting Man” respectively wedge Hendrix blues and cold Floydian meandering with crushing drifts reminiscent of Yob. “Secret Mirror” ends the album on a downright hopeful note; even as the sequences of maudlin keyboards and swaying bass are submerged in distortion, one can still trace a bright tinge.
As a venture into more stoner metal-leaning territory from their psych roots, SLIFT sticks the landing well with Fantasia. While there are some points where the quirkier aspects come at the expense of the momentum, the musicians do well in navigating the fuzz roulette at play and there is a certain uncanny charm to it. It’s a hair shy of the influences it reaches for, but it’s pleasant enough to invite some deeper focus.
