Kylesa - Static Tensions Review
by Mark Hensch
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At its heart Static Tensions has a nervous energy inside itself which is always struggling for freedom. Fast or slow, heavy or soft, the fiery passion Savannah, Georgia's Kylesa now displays bursts through on every single song of the record. With a jittery, paranoid atmosphere, Static Tensions is the friction of indecision turned into sludge metal, an exciting tug-of-war for listeners' hearts.
A big reason such a state exists is the band's notable penchant for dualities. There are two competing guitarists, a pairing of male and female vocals and (best of all) dueling drum kits. With so many elements alternatively coexisting in harmony or going full-force into war, Static Tensions quickly becomes a highly engaging aural experience.
The album kicks off with the antsy clockwork drumming of "Scapegoat," a song which soon explodes into a raw Black Flag number with an extra helping of sludge. "Said and Done," meanwhile, slowly builds itself into a High on Fire-esque barnstormer off an initial trudge through slowly churning riffs. For its part, the cathartic "Unknown Awareness" emerges as the album's highlight with its pounding ritualistic drums and ethereal, psychedelic melodies. Following this, "Running Red" drifts by on a cloud of moody piano keys, trance-inducing riffs and shamanistic percussion patterns.
That is just the disc's first half. The number of great songs continues with "Nature's Predators," a roaring anthem that wears exuberant melodies on one sleeve and bulldozer riffs on the other. "Almost Lost" follows this trend, charging headfirst through a collection of dirty riffs before bursting through into beautifully-harmonic sunlight. Last but not least, album closer "To Walk Alone" strolls through wistful, hypnotic notes before morphing into a massive thundercloud of sound.
Frantic yet foggy, high-strung but hazy, Static Tensions raises Kylesa's musical stature. As a record, Tensions displays dynamics only a more mature, nuanced band could pull off. It plumbs dichotomies in a way which makes this the band's most compelling release yet. This is for those who like going beyond the breaking point.
Tracklisting
Scapegoat
Insomnia for Months
Said and Done
Unknown Awareness
Running Red
Nature's Predators
Almost Lost
Only One
Perception
To Walk Alone
CD Info and Links
Kylesa - Static Tensions Rating:9.0
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