Since its vibrant days and creative apex in the early 2000’s, post-Metal has proven to be an arena of very few limits and of towering imagination and inventiveness, with the likes of Isis and Pelican offering multi-faceted works encapsulating atmosphere, serenity and at times, sheer heaviness. Colchester’s own Telepathy showcased on 2014’s 12 Areas (Devouter) that they were a very promising component capable of dizzying technicality whilst remaining compelling. On latest album Tempest (Golden Antenna), they prove such potential has been more than realised.

As the name suggests, Tempest is a turbulent and tormenting ride; conceptually based on grief and solitude, and they match such a narrative with a much grittier, bleaker tone than on their previous release. Still replete with a wide mix that ranges from near shoegaze melancholy to much heavier territory, its more sombre elements rather build towards stormy soundscapes than prove relaxing or easing.

With influences from the likes of Neurosis and Mastodon, its extremity proves as hook-laden as it does daunting and monolithic, even showing signs of atmospheric black metal akin to the likes of Wolves In The Throne Room and Light Bearer. Rather than seeming thrown together, or perhaps unrefined like its predecessor; Tempest feels wholesome and encapsulates the feel of its narrative with ease; as its elements feel flowing and natural as it does chaotic.

Where a lot of post-Metal can prove off-putting to many and at times inaccessible; Tempest manages to remain captivating throughout without losing out on extremity, technicality or intelligence. Dark and monstrous but still with signs of majesty and beauty but with enough hooks to draw people in, this is a very rich and diverse effort which will appeal to many, and shows Telepathy as no longer a band with huge potential, but a truly special part of the UK’s metal scene.

8.0/10

CHRIS TIPPELL