By DJ Monk
When it surfaced earlier this month, it could have been claimed that this six-track EP was the first direct product of the Covid-19 lockdown. Despite having been issued under the Dawnwalker name, and in the tradition of the band featuring a revolving cast of players, ‘Crestfallen’ is actually a collaboration between members of five different UK bands, with Dawnwalker’s Mark Norgate at the centre of a nexus which also featured musicians from Sacred Son, Pijn, Metasoma and Gold Baby. Each of the nine collaborators recorded their individual contributions in their own home studios (or even via iPhones), sending their parts back and forth to one another via the internet, before the finished product was pulled together and mixed into the result with which we are here presented.
The result is five original tracks, and one cover (of Mount Eerie’s ‘Lost Wisdom’), that fit neatly into the descriptive of ambient, psychedelic-tinged post-progressive metal, featuring deftly crafted soundscapes designed to shine light into the current state of isolation in which we find ourselves by celebrating the symbol of rebirth and regeneration that is Spring. The collaborations merge seamlessly together and sound totally cohesive, belying the unique nature and situation in which they were gestated, and there is a clarity of vision in the final rendition which obviously helped to keep the project together during its creation.
Given the circumstances in which it came together, ‘Crestfallen’ is an EP which does not live up to its name, but rather provides the listener with a sense of celebration of what can be achieved in the face of adversity. They say that necessity is the mother of invention: well, the necessity to make and release new music certainly has seen those behind this project rewarded for their inventive approach, which no doubt many other artists will find themselves taking as lockdown continues for the foreseeable future.
- ‘Crestfallen’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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