Spirit Adrift
Curse of Conception


4.0
excellent

Review

by PsychicChris USER (589 Reviews)
October 10th, 2017 | 18 replies


Release Date: 2017 | Tracklist

Review Summary: While Spirit Adrift still has some time before they can really wrestle the reins of the epic heavy/doom movement away from Khemmis and Pallbearer, it is nice to see their progression on Curse of Conception

Just a little over a year since their 2016 debut and mere months after a collaborative cover split with Khemmis, Arizona’s Spirit Adrift has returned with their second full-length album. A lot has changed in that time though, as the once one-man project has added additional musicians to its ranks following some touring experience. In addition, Curse of Conception ends up packing in more songs while somehow being less than a minute shorter in total length.

These factors would make it seem like Spirit Adrift has become a completely new band, and they certainly explore wider sonic territory this time around. In a way similar to their comrades in Khemmis or even mid-era The Gates of Slumber, the band opts for a fusion of doom and classic metal. The vocals take on a more lamenting tone in place of the debut’s overt Warrel Dane impression, perhaps inspired by the inclusion of Goya’s guitarist/vocalist Jeff Owens, the tone is one of charging determination, and the guitars have an intricate feel likely inspired by bands such as Iron Maiden and Manilla Road.

Despite indications of a more accessible format, the songwriting isn’t dumbed down by any means. Most of the songs still operate at a lumbering pace, though differentiations can be found in the chugging riffs on the title track and “Onward, Inward,” the almost ballad-like “To Fly with Broken Wings,” and the building speed on “Starless Age (Enshrined)” and “Graveside Invocation.” I also think “Wakien” is a strong instrumental, and find “Spectral Savior” to be particularly memorable, if only because the first half’s rhythm sounds like a direct lift from Pentagram’s “Change of Heart.” Talk about reviewing your choices, amirite?

While Spirit Adrift still has some time before they can really wrestle the reins of the epic heavy/doom movement away from Khemmis and Pallbearer, it is nice to see their progression on Curse of Conception. Expanding the lineup was certainly a smart idea, as was evolving their style to take on more influences, but the band needs a bit more experience under their belts before they will give us a true classic. In the meantime, this is still an enjoyable listen for anybody who likes their heavy metal slow and meaty.

Highlights:
“To Fly with Broken Wings”
“Wakien”
“Onward, Inward”

Originally published at http://indymetalvault.com



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user ratings (91)
3.7
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
LaughingSkull
October 11th 2017


860 Comments


I don't know what's going on today... All the frontpage's user reviews are of artists which are completely unheard to me, except for Miley Cyrus.

bgillesp
October 11th 2017


8868 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Nice review. I just put this on because I love Khemmis and listened to the split they did. This seems a lot better than their half of that so far and I like it more than Pallbearer. I don't see those comparisons nearly as much as Khemmis, but I get why you mention them.

manosg
Emeritus
October 11th 2017


12710 Comments


Nice one, Chris. Jammed this one during the weekend and enjoyed it.

Forest159
October 12th 2017


63 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Nice review. Been jamming this a bit and really enjoying it. I may eventually bump this to a 4 but for right now I find it a bit to similar to the Pallbearer/Khemmis sound.

Forest159
October 16th 2017


63 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Keep coming back to this. Just like Khemmis did, it burrows in with great riffs and catchy melodies. Just an excellent album from beginning to end. "Curse of Conception" and "Starless Age (Enshrined)" are top notch.

Maco097
October 21st 2017


3343 Comments


Even better than Chained To Oblivion. Prime stuff.

BigHans
November 14th 2017


30959 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This rules hard.

kevbogz
November 23rd 2017


6164 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Spectral Savior is such a Candlemass worship and I am 100% about it.

Inveigh
November 24th 2017


26899 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

this is like if Metallica were a doom metal band m/

deeplydisturbd
December 25th 2017


62 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This is a great album, very diverse and melodic, while still being heavy with some awesome songwriting and SOLOOOOS



so happy I found this, probably one of the better metal releases of 2017

DDDeftoneDDD
January 5th 2018


22796 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

yeah metallica doom band...ahah there's a more classical heavy metal approach on this relating to some of their peers for sure. Good album. A pretty clean production as well.



Onward, Inward is awesome m/

necropig
January 5th 2018


7440 Comments


I forgot I own this :s
Listening required

Hawks
January 17th 2018


93615 Comments


This rules.

johnnyblaze
August 1st 2018


3409 Comments


fuckin riffs pretty hard eh

necropig
May 8th 2019


7440 Comments


New one out May 10th

kevbogz
May 11th 2019


6164 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

new one riffs so fucking hard. I think I might enjoy the new one more as an album, but man Spectral Savior, Onward/Inward, and Earthbound are such god tier tracks...

kevbogz
May 11th 2019


6164 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

just relistened to this and might have to redact my statement

DDDeftoneDDD
October 7th 2019


22796 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

bump this one



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