Tongues – Hreilia

Tongues

Hreilia

by Lauren Fonto at 04 February 2018, 8:28 PM

Underground metallers TONGUES have returned with their sophomore effort “Hreilia”. The main concept of the album is influenced by a dream (and is the where the word “hreilia” came from), according to lyricist and drummer C. Qvortrup. He goes on to explain that the word symbolises a “spiritual disappointment…a nightmare”. A sense of great disappointment permeates this potent brew of black metal, death metal and doom metal.

The track that immediately stood out for me was “…And the Ever Watchful Clouds”. The intro echoes “Perennial Waves”, with sounds of the sea and similar riffs. Whatever negative feelings occurred earlier in the album are not going away anytime soon. Powerful tom fills bring in the full band, and guitar counter-melodies add a sense of uneasiness. The doom metal pace and the particular effects used on the guitar parts add a distinct feeling of being watched; of uneasiness.

The doom vibes carry on into “Grove of Mithridate”, which then evolves into more of a black metal track, with blast beats and echoing rasps. The main riffs are engaging, and the rich bass guitar adds gravity to the track. A slow section brings hypnotising counter-melodies. High, plaintive riffs add a layer of pathos. The pause just before a powerful scream and a chaotic solo enhance the punch of both. “Acumen Numinous” has a progressive metal feel, with hazy riffs. These riffs add a sense of disappointment. The full band later bursts forth, like a dam breaking. There’s no escaping this feeling now. A solo flickers like the last glorious light before the darkness closes in.

The album goes from a more aggressive style to slower, more defeated melodies, echoing the theme of disappointment and sadness. “Hreilia” is a deftly-handled and moving meditation on sadness and disillusionment. It’s not an easy listen, but that’s not to say it shouldn’t be heard. The album has a unique beauty to it.



Songwriting: 9
Originality: 9
Memorability: 8
Production: 9