Richmond's INTER ARMA, reigning masters of the slow build, continue to trace a distinctly ambitious trajectory through modern metal. Their impulses tend toward the epic, but never bloat; they meld several styles - doom, sludge, and hard psych - without coming off like dilettantes. This newest full-length, Sulphur English, finds them mining deeper in the proggy organic doom fields that made both Paradise Gallows and Sky Burial so thrilling while expanding further the on the psych-folk strain that made those albums' peaks seem so lofty. Few metal bands have ever made such effective use of acoustic instruments in truly heavy environments as INTER ARMA do; the acoustic guitar that stitches "Stillness" together is as effective as any overdriven bass; a two-minute gloomy piano-and-feedback piece titled "Observances of the Path" rolls out the carpet for "The Atavist's Meridian," an album highlight that rides a gigantic, roomy drum sound into realms akin to a murkier Paradise Lost, a more aggressive Om, and a dreamier, more stoned Kylesa all playing together at once. Few bands make music as engrossing as INTER ARMA; their lengthy, almost meditative songs rumble patiently forward until you're ready to get thrown off a bridge - and then they throw you, with great force. - Words by John Darnielle
Absolutely Crushing. Inter Arma is THE band keeping Extreme Metal fresh. Paradise Gallows is one of the greatest Metal records of all time and I'm super stoked for the 12th of April, it can't get here fast enough.
Hands down the most interesting, creative, dare I say catchy death metal song I've heard in a long time Inter Arma never disappoints. And what other band is cool enough to include the word "detritus" in one of their songs..
I feel a bit of oldschool Immolation - rival the eminent and yes Morbid angel - where the slime lives, both of em my favourite. Glad that I've foun d this. Cheers from Hungary
Gilbert Botos Cavern is easily their best, not to mention one of the greatest sludge records of all time. Few bands can pull off long form songwriting that stays that vibrant, engaging, and consistent for that kind of runtime
