Philadelphia’s Zodiak brings together members of some of the city’s finest heavy bands, including personnel from Rosetta, Javelina (Run, don’t walk to your local record store to buy a copy of this year’s self-titled debut on Translation Loss), Balboa, and Lickgoldensky. Recorded over the course of three years by Mick Mullins (High on Fire, Intronaut), Sermons, their debut full-length on Translation Loss, delivers an onslaught of expertly produced atmospheric metal that at its highest points manages to be simultaneously relaxing and unsettling. Influenced by the likes of Neurosis, Pink Floyd, and Tool, the album explores myriad styles such as tightly wound hard rock, open-ended experimentation, and pretty, melodic interludes between songs. With a songwriting process that is more likely to be based on improvisation than predetermined structures, standout tracks include gripping opening number “Excavate” and brooding, progressively intense “Wouldn’t Wait.” Title track “Sermons” is unfortunately both the longest and most forgettable. Vocal interplay between gruff-voiced Mark Armine and smooth-toned Christian McKenna creates a conspicuous but alluring friction, though at times McKenna’s clean phrasing borrows a little too heavily from Maynard James Keenan’s distinct style. (Depending on whom you ask, that could be a good thing.) Despite a few inconsistencies, the overall effect is engaging, and it will be exciting to see where Zodiak takes their sound in the future.
– Jamie Ludwig
Zodiak: www.myspace.com/zodiak
Translation Loss: www.translationloss.com