Cult of Luna - Salvation

Atmospheric sludge metal, pioneered by the likes of Isis and Neurosis, has spread to the shores of Umeå Sweden. While Sweden is a land better known for its melodic death metal output, Cult of Luna sounds more like US bands Pelican mixed with Mastodon than country-mates Opeth or In Flames.

This release, Salvation, sounds very similar to latter-day Isis in the epic-like structure of songs, albeit not quite as mellow as the newest Isis releases Oceanic and Panopticon. Formed after the breakup of hardcore band Eclipse, Cult of Luna still retains a dash of hardcore here and there, most noticeably in the vocals.

Slow, repetitive, but never boring, the music sweeps over you like soothing waves over beach sand. "Waiting for You" starts quiety with a slow, clean, mellow guitar and drum jam. Slowly, newer elements are added one by one building tension, and momentum until distortion kicks in about halfway through. "Crossing Over" is almost post-rock Godspeed You! Emperor-ish until the last two minute build up. All tracks are excellently on par with anything Isis or Pelican have done, perhaps with even more variety.

If the breakout of Pelican is any indication of the recent media exposure of atmospheric sludge, Cult of Luna are destined to become vastly popular.