by Charlie Butler<\/p>\n
Over the course of an hour, the band chart an ever-shifting course through crushing riffs, head-scratching math metal, serene post-rock and immense soundscapes. It\u2019s an exhilarating journey that makes me wonder how a band of this quality have stayed under the radar for so long.\u00a0 It\u2019s definitely time for Palmer to emerge from the shadows to gain the respect they deserve.<\/b><\/p>\n
Swiss post-metal powerhouse, Palmer, celebrate their sixteenth year of existence with a monstrous new LP, \u201cSurrounding The Void\u201d.<\/em><\/strong> Over the course of an hour, the band chart an ever-shifting course through crushing riffs, head-scratching math metal, serene post-rock and immense soundscapes. It\u2019s an exhilarating journey that makes me wonder how a band of this quality have stayed under the radar for so long.<\/p>\n \u201cHome Is Where I Lead You\u201d<\/em><\/strong> is a bold opening statement, an epic construction of whirlwind riffs and swings in mood that recalls much-missed compatriots Kruger<\/strong> and Knut<\/strong>. There are also hints of the mammoth compositions of Zatokrev<\/strong>, whose Frederyk Rotter released \u201cSurrounding The Void\u201d<\/em><\/strong> via his Czar of Bullets<\/strong> label. \u201cMisery<\/em><\/strong>\u201d and \u201cDigital Individual<\/em><\/strong>\u201d inflict similar damage while \u201cDivergent<\/em><\/strong>\u201d and \u201cRising<\/em><\/strong>\u201d find Palmer sprawling into the outer limits. These two behemoths push the ten minute mark, with the former embracing droned-out cosmic sounds, while the latter culminates in an almost-anthemic, melodic climax.<\/p>\n \u201cArtein<\/em><\/strong>\u201d shows Palmer are equally effective when exercising restraint. An understated instrumental that subtly twists and turns, the band show they can be captivating without having to resort to cheap quiet\/loud post-rock tricks. Subdued closer \u201cImplosion<\/em><\/strong>\u201d exists in the same realm, building layers of hypnotic guitar into a tower of ambient sound, charred around the edges by smouldering distortion.<\/p>\n \u201cImport Unity<\/em><\/strong>\u201d is the only slight mis-step here, an attempt at a more concise straight-ahead metal track that doesn\u2019t quite come off. The virtuoso shredding at the end of the track is particularly jarring and at odds with the rest of the LP.<\/p>\n \u201cSurrounding The Void<\/em><\/strong>\u201d is a complex beast that covers a wide sonic spectrum from dense heaviness to spectral calm. It\u2019s definitely time for Palmer to emerge from the shadows to gain the respect they deserve.<\/p>\n