Erra
Drift
(Sumerian Records)
Art imitates life. That’s the overused statement your art history, philosophy and lit professors probably shoved down your throat with every day spent learning about Egyptian relief sculptures, Plato, or Ulysses. And while it may come off as a cliché concept, it’s actually filled with accuracy on levels far passed your basic education. Take metalcore for example. Metalcore imitates life, and Erra’s latest release, Drift, is no exception.
So how exactly does a ten track record recreate what we see and feel in front of us every day? Easily. From relatable lyrical content to atmospheric instrumentals to song structures that literally imitate the moods the songs set, Drift spends 42 minutes re-familiarizing the listener with the world around them. It’s an album you can effortlessly get lost in, most notably with the record’s title track. As the song slowly progresses, the feelings of floating become more prominent in both the soothing guitar riffs and melodic clean vocals. The contrast created between the whispered vocals against the consistent chugging bass lines and corrosive uncleans emit a sonic parallel to the swaying motions referenced in the song (“Drifting in and out of reality/Drifting in and out of motion”).
This imitation of content continues with tracks like “Skyline” in which the transitions from clean to unclean feel off-kilter and somehow jagged, yet still work together to project ideas sonically similar to the visuals of a cityscape. The same can be said of the ambitious closing track, “The Hypnotist,” which only broadens its own horizons as the track continues down its near six-minute journey, opening doors to more engaging riffs and closing out the ones prior.
Drift is a difficult record to dissect. The full collection of songs reads more like one cohesive track rather than ten separate parts transitioning into one another. It creates an ambient mathcore vibe with groove metal undertones that draws the listener in from start to finish. Tracks like “Continuum” feel more like miniature journeys progressing through a greater tale rather than just a run-of-the-mill filler track. The scale of song structure applied to it is so diverse and unpredictable that its twists and turns keep the listener guessing. With isolated bass riffs and well-thought out lyrics (“Close my eyes/I swear I feel you crawling towards the light/Tell me the words that will keep you close”) it’s understandable and lauded that any basic verse/chorus structure was defenestrated through the metaphorical window.
While tracks like “Orchid” focus more on technique rather than melody to carry the record, the clean vocals are still what help amplify its overall effect. Unfortunately, the cleans get a little strained throughout the album, especially within “Hourglass” and “Skyline.” Luckily there’s no lack in instrumental solos as they appear frequently and tastefully, most notably on the six-minute 22 second penultimate track “Safehaven.” Instrumental prowess clearly was chosen as the focal point of Drift over either kind of vocal style.
Drift is capable of emoting an almost otherworldly vibe in the same contemporary vein as Northlane’s Node if it met Veil of Maya’s Matriarch while trying to consolidate everything into an odyssey of sound reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada’s Space EP. The growing complexity in metalcore is a far cry from the standard djenty stereotypes constantly pigeonholing the genre. Though not the simplest listen through for your first time, Drift grows as it progresses and builds upon itself making it well worth the effort. (Natasha Van Duser)
Purchase Drift here: iTunes | Physical
