ALBUM REVIEW: Kenoma - "The Tides Will Prevail"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 28/04/2017

Label: Translation Loss

Kenoma are firmly focused on the metal side of the post-metal equation for the most part of “The Tides Will Prevail” and manage to create huge, enveloping sound constructions reliant on intricate interlocking guitar parts rather than a phalanx of effects pedals.  The albums extended gestation period has produced an absorbing set of finely honed post-metal behemoths.

“The Tides Will Prevail” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). The 33^rd Parallel

2). 1913

3). Curse of Tecumseh

4). Sleeping Prophet

5). Nature of Empire

The Review:

Bands often take their time to craft their debut full-length but it rarely takes a staggering eleven years. Dayton, Ohio instrumentalists Kenoma have had some ups and downs since their 2006 split with Mouth of the Architect but they have battled through and now emerge triumphant with “The Tides Will Prevail”.

This extended gestation period has produced an absorbing set of finely honed post-metal behemoths. “33^rd Parallel”begins in crushing fashion, a slow motion crawl with echoes of Yob and Pallbearer. A stirring melodic guitar line rises from the smouldering ashes of this introduction that drives the track towards an epic riff onslaught. Kenomaare firmly focused on the metal side of the post-metal equation for the most part of “The Tides Will Prevail” and manage to create huge, enveloping sound constructions reliant on intricate interlocking guitar parts rather than a phalanx of effects pedals.

The band are not completely averse to the subtle integration of otherworldly textures into the mix though. “Sleeping Prophet” opens with a wall of woozy synths that morph into hazy psych rock in the vein of Grails while apocalyptic closer “Nature of Empire” starts as a menacing cloud of delayed guitars then erupts into punishing doom laden with samples of air raid sirens. Even when Kenoma lay off the volume it is never long until they unleash their full weight again, like when the sparse nocturnal quiet of “Curse Of Tecumseh” is engulfed by a wave of sweet distortion.

Kenoma’s distinct brand of sludged-up, riff-heavy post-metal is a welcome racket in 2017. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another eleven years to produce the follow-up to “The Tides Will Prevail”.

“The Tides Will Prevail” is available to preorder/buy here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook