Review: Architeuthis Rex - Stilbon Is Dead

Hot on the heels of the recent Boring Machines review comes some more Italian goodness, this time in the shape of Architeuthis Rex. For those unaware of the band, although falling loosely under the banner of Italian Occult Psychedelia, they produce some wonderful, informed drone/experimental material. Their last album, 'Eleusis', was a masterpiece of atmospheric, ritualistic drone...but NOT ambient fluff..it was full of substance and meaning (as you may have guessed, I'm a fan!). The band are releasing a new album, 'Stilbon is Dead', via Midira records, out now. Based on the idea of 'gleaminess', a Greek mythological term referring to the planet Mercury, it is an album about light and dark, delving into the chiaroscuro of existence (Stilbon, 'the gleaming', was a name given to the Morning Star). No surprises that it is excellent!

'Copper Light' opens the album with the sound of footsteps on gravel before a foreboding drone is introduced. A primal drum beat and crashing guitar chords herald the ethereal vocals of Francesca Marongiu which intone in an almost ritualistic way. The guitar echoes around over the drums and rich swathes of synth provide an atmospheric backdrop,all coming together to form a track of dense sounds and colours. 'Oikoumene' (the ancient Greek term for the known world) continues the theme; more dense, dark drones and crashing drums and altogether darker than the preceding track. It conjures visions of dread and tension in the listener and has a soundtrack quality about it. Structurally it feels like a doom track with its sombre aspect and low tempo, but it sparkles like doom tracks tend not to...all in all a dark delicious treat. 'Almagest' opens with the swirling sound of emptiness accompanied by a simple piano chord. Whispered, echoey vocal chants (provided by Terrence Hannum of experimental metallers Locrian) enter the fray and the whole feel becomes haunting and sepulchral. Out of nowhere things pick up and break out....the drums crash and the drones become more urgent before returning to its funereal pace with tormented howls and eerie synths. 'Fallen' again utilises the dreamy vocals of Marongiu over tremulous bass and drums which provide a more abstract, free form musical accompaniment which all go to produce another exercise in umbrous foreboding. 'Atol' opens immediately with more free form drums and rich drones that threaten throughout to rise to an almighty crescendo, but always remains in tight control, leaving the listener teetering on the edge. 'Stilbon' closes the album with the sound of water and a backdrop of reverb guitar and thunderous, muted crashes of programmed beats. Hazy, dreamlike vocals appear for a short while along with some more luscious drone. The guitar becomes positively psychedelic until everything stills, just for a minute, and then becomes a glorious cacophony of electronic noise, feedback and percussion - suitably dramatic manner in which to end a superlative record.

'Stilbon is Dead' ticks all the boxes for me; its intelligence and thought shine through and it leaves you wanting more. Musically it is full of drama, atmosphere and colour. It manages to balance the dark and light, reflecting the chiaroscuro of its raison d'etre, and that's no easy thing. All in all a fantastic album...but coming from Architeuthis Rex, that's no surprise. It is available now from the Midira Records Webstore in swamp green vinyl and some lovely cover art by artist Christopher Colville.