DOWNFALL OF GAIA
“ETHICAL OF RADICAL FINITUDE
Album Review by Chris Palmer
8/10
Downfall Of Gaia is a four-piece band which hails from Germany. Formed in 2008, the band consists of Anton Lisovoj [Bass & Vocals], Dominik Goncalves dos Reis [Guitars & Vocals], Michael Kadnar [Drums], and Marco Mazzola [Guitars]. The band has released four full-length albums, two Split Recordings, and an E.P. February saw the release of fifth full-length, “Ethical Of Radical Finitude”, which follows 2016’s monstrous “Atrophy”.“Ethical Of Radical Finitude” was released in February via Metal Blade Records. The album contains six tracks which make up its 40 minutes length. Upon pressing play you are gently “Seduced By” beautiful soundscapes, before these Germans proceed to pummel your eardrums with the outrageously heavy “The Grotesque Illusion Of Being”, which will have you hooked the second the extremity hits you.
“Ethical Of Radical Finitude” was released in February via Metal Blade Records. The album contains six tracks which make up its 40 minutes length. Upon pressing play you are gently “Seduced By” beautiful soundscapes, before these Germans proceed to pummel your eardrums with the outrageously heavy “The Grotesque Illusion Of Being”,which will have you hooked the second the extremity hits you.
Some top drumming from Michael announces the arrival of “We Pursue The Serpent Of Time”, and what a monster of a song it is too! Running for over nine and a half minutes, it has everything you’d expect from a Downfall Of Gaia track… Varying tempos, which separate the calmness from the storms, the latter of which insults the senses with a combination of insanely heavy rhythms, pounding guitars, pummelling drums, and that gut-wrenching vocal attack… All making this track an exhilarating listen. The song closes with some light piano before moving guitar tones introduce you to “Guided Through A Starless Night”. Don’t be fooled by those beautiful guitar tones, however, because they lead you straight to another bout of Extreme Metal Mayhem that’ll have you completely gripped for another nine and a half minutes. I particularly like the heavy guitar-play from Dominik and Marco throughout this number, and Anton’s bass tones vibrate through the speakers, shaking the room around you. Meanwhile, the spoken interlude does bring a little respite to proceedings.
Downfall Of Gaia then launch straight into the aptly titled “As Our Bones Break To The Dance”. Visions of an insane mosh pit enter my mind. A place where mayhem ensues as the heavy riffs reverberate around you, and you strut around with many others, grinning from ear to ear, as the music and adrenaline take over. You’ll be left breathless afterwards, and there just might be a few broken bones around you. Yet, it’s not over, because final number, “Of Withering Violet Leaves”, is a stunning piece of music which will definitely leave you wanting more! It begins slowly with some spellbinding guitar-play and soundscapes, which build to a crescendo before an avalanche of extremity pummels you into the ground. Spoken interludes close this excellent track and album, leaving you reaching for the repeat button.
Overall “Ethical Of Radical Finitude”is an excellent slab of Extreme Atmospheric Sludge and Post-Black Metal. The musicianship is tight throughout and contains some first-class guitar-play from Dominik and Marco. Everything is held together with the insanely heavy rhythm section of Anton and Michael, while the extreme vocal attack of Anton and Dominik is staggeringly good. Everything comes together to offer 40+ minutes of excellent Extreme Metal that appears to be over in seconds.
If you like your music heavy, yet with variety, then Downfall Of Gaia deserve your attention, and “Ethical Of Radical Finitude” is the perfect place to start.
TRACKLIST
Seduced By…
The Grotesque Illusion Of Being
We Pursue The Serpent Of Time
Guided Through A Starless Night
As Our Bones Break To The Dance
Of Withering Violet Leaves
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