When you are cited in the same musical bracket as the likes of Cult Of Luna and Isis, you have a hell of a lot to live up to. Post-metal is a difficult field to pull off with such a diverse array of directions one can go in, and often is the struggle between being immersive opposed to come across as purely and needlessly pretentious. Londoners The Ever Living already have a weight of expectation with such a well-received EP release back in 2016; which thankfully debut album Herephemine (Chromism) not only manages to live up to, but drastically improves upon.

Herephemine is a rich and densely packed effort which transitions through textures and styles; emitting differing emotions throughout its 66 minute duration; ranging from sheer heaviness and bleakness through to the near cathartic, and even throws in a couple of surprise elements which somehow blend seamlessly in the mix. Album opener ‘The Great Defeatist’ for example is a near Sludge like affair and offers the rawest and most immediately impactful track; whilst ‘Prismatic Dissonance’ is, as the track would suggest, the most dissonant with its mix of drone and harsh noise instilling a sense of discomfort in the listener.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vthi8R3qRx4

This is a rich and detailed release that certainly requires your full, undivided attention and is meant to be presented as a fully immersed in experience; but at an hour plus in length, it doesn’t quite manage to captivate for its entirety. For the most part, though, this is an impressive release that feels both sumptuous and crushing at its peak moments but does ultimately feel overly and needlessly stretched out in places. Long players can be wonderful and absorbing, and there is the sense that The Ever Living are certainly capable of such a feat, but perhaps Herephemine would have instead done with a little fat trimming. Otherwise, this is a highly recommended piece which points toward The Ever Living becoming one of the UK scene’s most creative and deep entities.

7.0/10

CHRIS TIPPELL