SOJOURNER – Premonitions (Album Review)

SOJOURNER - Premonitions (Album Review)
SOJOURNER – Premonitions

A Little Background:

Sojourner are a multi-national band who play dark folky black metal. They formed back in 2015 and are about to release their third album and first on Napalm Records called Premonitions on Friday 8th May.

The band are from countries such as New Zealand, Sweden, USA, Italy and UK. In listening to the album and trying to take notes I found myself kind of carried away by the atmosphere, yes the words “atmosphere” and “atmospheric” were the words I wrote the most on my writing pad. In fact, I found it hard to write notes as I sort of kept relaxing back and letting the music, melodies and mood wash over me. It is all about aura and emotion with the piano and tin whistle adding so much texture and flavour to it all. I have found it most engaging and captivating to listen to. There is a mix of vocals between the harsh growling voice of Emilio Crespo and the lilting delicate singing of Chloe Bray. The album comprises of 8 songs with several of the songs being around 7 or 8 minutes long.

The Songs Reviewed:

Opening track “The Monolith” has a beginning that made me, for a second or two, think of the start to “Fugazi” by Marillion. The choruses are sweet and sung by Chloe with the harsher verses growled by Emilio. They do harmonize near the end (just after the delightful breakdown featuring the bass and keys specifically) on the chorus. “Eulogy For The Lost” has such a haunting melody through it. Dark yet beautiful with a slightly Celtic feel at times (at its gentlest it could almost be a track by Clannad) especially through its use of the whistle (I believe) and the guitar solo after the piano section is stunning and uplifting. Most of the track is sung by Emilio so it has a harsh sound to go with the riff but has some lighter moments sung by Chloe.

Sojourner: The Band (photo by Katrina Watt)
Sojourner: The Band (photo by Katrina Watt)

The Apocalyptic Theatre” is full of drama and tension. At points musically it sounds like this could be direct from a movie soundtrack. Tension builds around the drums with the whistle (or possibly flute at times?) keeping that folky feel despite being a heavy and sombre piece. “Talas” is gentle and entrancing. Focussing on piano and Chloe’s voice this is a triumph of simplicity and charm. It does heavy up near the end when they turn it into a duet with the melody staying strong throughout. A gorgeous piece to listen to.

Piano opens up the longest song ”Fatal Frame”. I like the way they are happy to take their time before unleashing the furious black metal with gruff vocal. There are a few changes of pace as well as melody making it a mix of prog, folk and black metal. The piano returns in the middle section (actually had a hint of Tony Banks from Genesis about it) before it speeds up relentlessly nearer the end. However, it does drop down completely near the end almost leaving you worn out. “The Deluge” is another lovely piece which they have made a video for (in the Cairngorms, north of Scotland) where the scenery matches the music and storytelling in every way. Check it out to see what I mean at the bottom of this review.

Atonement” is another where they lull you into a false sense of security. Over a minute and a half of piano and whistle(?) before it wallops you in the face. It is a mix of Eluveitie and Tristiana amongst others, heavy riffs with a Celtic sound and a mix of gruff and gentle vocals. This features my favourite lyric on the album in “and you think your prize will not choke you?” which just grabbed my attention!

Sojourner: Band Logo
Sojourner: Band Logo

Closer “The Event Horizon” keeps the standard high to the end of the album. Once again there is a touch of Marillion (possibly something from the Clutching At Straws album?) on the keys (just a tiny little run which is repeated a couple of times). This is a slightly slower piece. I wrote the comment “anguish in melody and words” on my pad and listening again I cannot think of a better way of putting it.  With lyrics going “I fall, I crawl, I sob, I break” this is sorrowful stuff. Looking back at what is lost and leaves us with one word “why?”.  Musically it has a touch of symphonic metal about it and is all very dramatic sounding.

Final Thoughts:

An album to stick on the headphones, lie back on the couch and drift away with. It has a way of taking you out of yourself and on a journey whilst still being heavy as fuck. A very fine album by a group of minstrels from across the world. Album out Friday, May 8!

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Also, find more of my CGCM reviews here: Tom Cornell

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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLae9MXXG0E[/embedyt]

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