About a month ago, Los Angeles’ experimentalists Nebulaen returned with the release of their sophomore EP, Epistolary. While retaining many aspects of their visceral doom approach started with the release of 2019’s Goodnight Satellite, Epistolary reflects the group’s obsession with more darker approach to alternative rock and progressive metal. Epistolary offers a swirling mass of dark, moody atmospheres, crunchy, blasting, distorted guitars, muddy drums, dramatic structures, gorgeous labyrinthian melodies, and plodding tempos.
Following the one-minute intro “Burnt Letters,” Nebulaen loose no time before entering with doom riffage in “Digital Ghost.” Further disorienting are vocals of Adam Maloney that waft in from the margins before getting multi-tracked as they introduce blazing guitars courtesy of Jonathan Bouknight and thudding kick drums by Lamar Little. The slow, processional tempo creates an ever-intensifying whirl of sound as frontman Maloney reveals astonishing control.
The refracted doom vamps in “Grey Sisters” offer a whirlpool of heaviness as Bouknight plays counterpoint single-string leads in call-and-response. Though “Corvid” commences with Little’s rumbling drum fill, Mario Di Leva‘s absolutely filthy low-tuned bass line guides the track along with Bouknight’s picking and Maloney’s clean voice. The dramatic interplay between that bass line and the riffing offers an overdriven, orgiastic goth groove. “Morrigan” is a near-textbook case for alternative metal. Bouknight’s guitar break sets up a massively satisfying chug. The song features a guitar solo by Franco Zizza, adding another sound dimension to the overall multi-layered piece.
If there is one thing to be taken away from Epistolary, it is that Nebulaen sound inspired and restless. The stylistic evolution that took the place over the years is evident here. Epistolary seamlessly and dynamically entwines doom, gothic metal, and alternative/post-metal in fairly good songwriting and arrangements that showcase the band’s potential.
Epistolary is out now and is available from Bandcamp. Follow Nebulaen on Facebook.
"Epistolary" seamlessly and dynamically entwines doom, gothic metal, and alternative/post-metal in fairly good songwriting.
