Lunar Chamber
Shambhallic Vibrations


3.6
great

Review

by Robert Garland STAFF
May 7th, 2023 | 54 replies


Release Date: 04/28/2023 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Convincing reverberations

It’s been a hot minute since death metal has had um…anything to talk about, especially in regard to the realms in which the likes of Blood Incantation reigns supreme. Forgive the name-drop, but comparatively speaking, Lunar Chamber’s EP is worthy of mention within the same purview. That’s probably praise enough for any death metal band emerging in the scene, and yet Shambhallic Vibrations is a steadfast example of a band’s music that has the potential to push boundaries, accommodating a clear, organic sound and more than enough audible bass to leave even the most jaded of death metal fans with their respective jaws on the floor. Perhaps one day, they might even be held in the same reverence to the mainstays mentioned above.

That said there’s an air of incompleteness to be found within Shambhallic Vibrations’ impressive depths. Considering the format, it’s a given. After all, this is a new band simply testing the waters of something greater. The titular introduction arrives nonchalant, a building wall of atmosphere and melody…and then it cuts out, abrupt. Momentum choked out in favour of starting “Spirit Body and the Seeing Self” cold turkey. Call it a teething moment, but to say the transition from one to the other is “rough” is an understatement. Even the interlude, unneeded as it is for an EP that doesn’t exceed thirty minutes of material, just pops in and out of nowhere; twinkly ethereal cinematic filler. Out of place. Underthought. Unneeded.

But that’s where most of Shambhallic Vibrations’ issues start and finish. There’s so much to unpack during the EP’s three other, more traditional tracks. “Spirit Body and the Seeing Self” reaches far past the lo-fi twangle entry notes, akin to Sweven worship on a lighter scale—before a more impactful, caustic, broiling riffs intertwine with audible pops off bass. Angular death metal aesthetic breathes sci-fi life while guitarists Brandon J. Iacovella and Kyle Walburn use up every tenacious fret at their disposal. Further down the set list, “The Bodhi Tree” continues to lay down thick grooves and ferocious guttural roars. A nod to the old-school revival while being firmly rooted in the explorative nuance that is all of “III. Crystalline Blessed Light Flows... From Violet Mountains Into Lunar Chambers”. This is where Lunar Chamber should be spending their time. Long weaving forays through different eras of death metal (noticeably the likes of Cynic and Demilich) while firmly grasping an atmosphere range between the cinematic and downright science fiction. The track itself even twists away from the perceived norm of “heavy music” choosing instead to insert clean vocals and contrasting moments of quiet.

In looking towards the future, and more specifically to the culmination of an eventual full-length Lunar Chamber need to focus on their exploration, rather than cater to piling on nothing introductions and quizzical interludes. Don’t get me wrong: the musicianship in these sections are top notch, but they lack the songwriting awareness here. Shambhallic Vibrations itself is promising, not only for this up-and-coming act but also for the potential of where this band may be able to take this genre if they really knuckle down on what’s important. Should the need arise for another EP before a proper, genre-defining long play I’d ask them to try their hands at a single twenty-five-to-thirty-minute track—making everything cohesive front to back, ensuring that their brand and ideas work.

Largely, Shambhallic Vibrations’ biggest selling point is the obvious potential and the listeners’ want for whatever they happen to release in the coming years. If this is the case, Lunar Chamber should gain a swift mainstay of loyal fans and eventually a larger respect in an already oversaturated genre. The balls in their chamber.




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user ratings (87)
3.7
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
May 7th 2023


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.6

I want to 4.9 something again.

DDDeftoneDDD
May 7th 2023


22803 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Very upset with the 3.6 XD

Glad for the rev. Thanks a lot!



Ps: Budha should've benn mentioned

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
May 7th 2023


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.6

Convince me otherwise

trilo
May 7th 2023


6616 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

great review sir agreed on p much everything. this rules ahrd

Hyperion1001
Emeritus
May 7th 2023


27125 Comments


listened to this through a couple times and it hasn’t really grabbed me. kind of directionless and a little overwrought. idk what to rate it really.

Viraemias
May 7th 2023


445 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Yup, cool album!



Favorite track: III. Crystalline Blessed Light Flows... From Violet Mountains Into Lunar Chambers

normaloctagon
Contributing Reviewer
May 7th 2023


4391 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

fantastic review gnocchi!

DDDeftoneDDD
May 7th 2023


22803 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Lol actually think its pretty cohesive, despite the prog dm nature. F.e. - I think its cool how the lyrics and main theme from Bodhi Tree connect with Crystaline Blessed Light - while in the first comes with growling, turned into melodic chanting in the second. It sure has a sci-fi nature but definitely from a more esoteric/spiritual approach.



Totally got the view from the rev though, and yeah its fantastic the 30 minutes song idea, instead of the interludes. For what its worth I always took it as a whole, never in a song skimming. Imo its all connected and a pretty wild and dynamic journey.

Hyperion1001
Emeritus
May 7th 2023


27125 Comments


this kinda reminds me of slugdge just not as good.

DDDeftoneDDD
May 7th 2023


22803 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Good point ahah its more about Budha than Lord Gastropod worship.



For real though, it captures that vibe here and there but Slugdge is tighter in its writing.





Hyperion1001
Emeritus
May 7th 2023


27125 Comments


another thing metal bands are just gonna have to accept at some point is that unless your name is steve digiorgio you should not be playing a fretless bass. I mean he barely gets away with it, there’s no way anyone less talented can make it sound good.

im being fairly negative but this isn’t bad overall. i do like the solo in bodhi tree.

DDDeftoneDDD
May 7th 2023


22803 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Review is very good Nocte, and even if I agree with everything, I think the novelty and freshness I find in the vibe and main songs surprass any skepticism. In fact even the interludes, even if spastic put me in something ethereal, which is weirdly tangeled with the heaviest dm riffing, which its marriage is unncommon. Normally this vibe comes at the cost of loosing heaviness, which isnnot the case here.

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
May 8th 2023


19009 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

Great stuff, hope they drop the full-length next year

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
May 8th 2023


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.6

Wholesome rating Fern.

TheTripP
May 8th 2023


4674 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

oooh what have we here

Blizzink
May 8th 2023


249 Comments


was expecting something like Coevality from that album cover

pretty fun, though

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
May 8th 2023


32185 Comments


That cover though...



.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
May 8th 2023


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.6

It’s totally on the front isn’t it.

Deez
May 9th 2023


10498 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This is fking great

dbizzles
May 9th 2023


15253 Comments


Loved this, but need more.



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