Very few worthwhile things happen without a struggle and taking on pain and aggravation as our journeys continue. Typically we cover a lot of music that has dark, foreboding themes, and that’s not really going to change today. But there are ways through the pain and darkness that can have a positive net result, making that struggle worth it.
Taking on any record Sumac releases is an exercise in stamina, and “The Healer” is no exception. Over four tracks and a crushing 76 minutes, the band—guitarist/vocalist Aaron Turner, bassist Brian Cook, drummer Nick Yacyshyn—builds atmospheric sludge, glacial doom, and barreling improvisation on a record that weighs the wounds we all suffer, be it physically or mentally, and how the fight through that can result in newfound strength. Life doesn’t have to be dour and grim from bell to bell, and instead we can use these experiences for enrichment and a way to strengthen ourselves even further.
“World of Light” is the opener and the longest track, running a healthy 25:54 and taking its time to form its ambiance. Noise builds as sounds vibrate, Turner’s growls punishing, feeling beastly and feral. The heat boils as cosmic visions increase, heat rays punishing as the growls dig into the earth, a brief bit of calm spreading before the playing drips, light bursting as a gentle stream flows, eventually bursting into seething doom. Roars clobber as the playing actively thrashes, battering and drawing blood. “Yellow Dawn” opens with keys brimming, a psychedelic haze spreading, the playing eventually adding muscle as the howls rip. The pace mashes as blood races, hulking bass driving, guitars frying the senses as the playing bruises harder. Psyche edges spit heat as everything barrels into a flood of feedback, the playing bruises and melting flesh from bone.
“New Rites” slowly boils, jarring shots landing, guitars stabbing and charring, the riffs crushing and trudging. Roars punish as the playing twists and turns bone to dust, rattling and sizzling as the drums spatter. Fire licks bends as the guitars build momentum, increasing the agitation as harsh howls peel flesh, the playing slowly destroying before ending abruptly. “The Stone’s Turn” is the 24:35-long closer, coming in charging and corroding, crazed wails meeting with frying guitars. Deep growls maul as the sinister intent increases, spiraling into dizzying playing before everything goes cold. The heat slowly rises as the ice melts, howls flaring up as the guitars trace scars, the smoke from the collecting fires getting more intense. Howls crush as blasts stampede, guitars boil over dangerously, and the accumulating sounds lap over the earth.
There’s no such thing as smooth sailing or a brief sojourn when it comes to Sumac, and “The Healer” undoubtedly delivers in that department and more. For something as barbaric and impossibly heavy as this record is, there is light behind it and hope, and all of that combines into a new sense of strength. It’s a challenging excursion, one that will demand the most of you, but taking on that task results in new confidence and a renewed vigor for life that awaits at the end of this devastating journey.
For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/SUMACBAND
To buy the album, go here: https://thrilljockey.com/products/the-healer
For more on the label, go here: https://thrilljockey.com/index
Meat Mead Metal 