The Irish trio of God Is An Astronaut release another spellbinding album, Embers. Once again, they send the listener into another aural experience to savour.

Release Date:  6th September 2024

Label: Napalm Records

Format: CD / Vinyl / Digital 

THE COSMIC JOURNEY

God Is An Astronaut don’t exactly introduce music to you, they launch it at you. Apparition has a brief calm countdown then it erupts; you are the astronaut beginning your cosmic musical journey. Make sure you are strapped in as their is little let up until you are brought to a tranquil end.

Falling Leaves may conjure up a gentle autumnal scene, but yet again, you are in for a blistering ride. As the guitar riffs are hammered out, there is still control and beauty.

Odyssey has a more calming opening and a lovely tranquil synth keyboard opening. God Is An Astronaut yet again show their ability to mesh the light and the dark. Odyssey eventually opens up into raucous crashing chords, with loud chiming guitar licks.

If you have ever attended a God Is An Astronaut live show, you will know what a breath taking sonic experience it is (click here for our review of their 2023 show in Leeds with Jo Quail). Many of the songs here will become live favourites.  Heart of Roots may guide you ponderously but it also envelops you with the superbly arranged textures. It also provides some balance to the more dynamic pieces.

EMBERS

The title track is an epic near ten minute piece which encompasses everything this band are. The word embers implies  a dying, slowing down quality, but it is more rejuvenating than weakening.  Their music is enhanced with synthesised effects however it is never mechanical or robotic. This helps create different images and moods. It is loud but not ear – piercing. Such is the way they pull you in demanding your ultimate focus, the nigh on ten minutes flashes by. 

From the longest track to one of the shortest, Realms is like arriving at a new and  beautiful land after a long trek, gliding down slowly. As calming as Realms is, Oscillation can be rather more scary and mysterious but equally awesome.

Prism’s swirling, precise clarity, sets you up nicely for the final track Hourglass. Initially, it seems like a simple piano solo (well its appears simple after the kaleidoscope of f sounds on the previous tracks). Expertly, the music is embellished by sprawling effects which circulate in the background.

Appearances from Dara O’Brien and Sean Coleman whose approach  on music using  sitar, zither, shamanic drums, bowed psaltery, chimes and tanpura  blend wonderfully into the experimental outlook of Embers. There is also plenty of input from the cello maestro and At The Barrier favourite that is Jo Quail who has worked with many a band in the metal scene.

Embers is another phenomenal addition to the catalogue of God Is An Astronaut. There aren’t many bands that produce such high quality music, so consistently. Be sure to check out Embers; it is a treat of an album from a criminally underrated band.

Listen to Odyssey, below.

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