Evolution is a concept that, for some reason, is controversial to a lot of people. That’s what happens when people try to defy science, a thing they cannot (or choose not to) understand. But we watch it through our and other species, the planet, and even our scientific and artistic endeavors. We grow in so many ways, which keeps us alive.
The Long Hunt, the Pittsburgh-based instrumental drone/doom trio that long ago planted its roots, add new shades and colors to what they do with each release, and the same goes for their new fourth album “Natural Order.” The album isn’t a radical departure by any means, but another phase of growth, a continual development into a deeper, more varied beast. The band—guitarist Trevor Richards, bassist Allison Kacmar Richards, drummer Mark Lyons—has morphed over time and gradually built into what they do, and each release gives you a newly refined vision. This one is perfect for once cooler summer evenings arrive or on a sun-splashed walk through the woods where you can pay homage to your surroundings and be overcome by the power of this band’s music.
“It Hunts the Shadows” opens with guitars quivering, opening sunburnt visions, then the bass follows behind, thickening. There’s a dusty electric feel going through your veins, the sludge coming at you harder, the final strains blasting out. “The Cosmic Egg” feels properly spacey when it enters, guitars echoing and treading, a desert vibe chilling your anxieties. Guitars pick up as things feel doomier and heavier, the melodies blazing, the bass snaking into oblivion. “Assiduous Gnaw” begins with a nice blanket of psychedelic warmth, working into swampier terrain, the murmuring fires stoked to full gush again. The playing feels fiery and more forceful, the bass numbing as the drums pace, the guitars leaving blisters that fester in the sun. “Spine of the Dusk” is slow and humid when it dawns, gliding through the bones of summer, guitars spreading sun-bleached memories. The playing gets dreamier as the lights emerge, making your brain feel stoned, thoughts dividing into new ideas.
“Tooth and Claw” starts ominously, the bass slowly climbing rocks formations, a mechanical push turning chunkier, the drums pacing along, cowbell gently prodded. The elements begin to pile on top of one another, noise scraping as the riffs chew, a final burly attack fully overwhelming. “The Liminal Flow” moves at a deliberate pace, luring you in, the guitars growing more agitated and landing blows. Melodies encircle as the playing bruises, guitars taking control and pulling each corner of the journey, buzzing energy dissipating and merging with the ground. “A Narrow Path” is warm and jazzy at the outset, feeling like a cool Western evening, the bass popping and riffs lulling. The playing gently flows as the guitars simmer, heated leads turning hypnotic, looping to a pillowy landing spot. Closer “Pillar of Dawn” has guitars smearing and flowing, the elements liquifying and flowing over tested muscle. The riffs begin to spark as vintage melodies rain down and flood with dream-state nostalgia, the bass lighting the path forward, woodsy chill blurring vision and ending the journey.
“Natural Order” is the logical next step for the Long Hunt, as their psyche doom always seemed headed in this direction, therefore this album flows perfectly and induces new visions. This is an imaginative, immersive record that’s ideal for the upcoming late summer evenings, when your flesh is cooling from a day in the sun, and the cooler air and dusk are your truest companions. The Long Hunt never veer too far from their path, but they always add new colors and inspirations they find along the way to make their art more infectious and inviting, music that always feels like a spirit that never leaves your side.
For more on the band, go here: https://thelonghunt.bandcamp.com/
To buy the album, go here: https://thelonghunt.bandcamp.com/album/natural-order
Meat Mead Metal 