Second steps on the “Earth”

One year after the release of Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I, Earth have finally released the second part of their instrumental album.  The long-living band has been around for 23 years now, with the production of seven studio albums, two EPs, and four splits. Throughout the years, Earth has endured ups and downs and gone through several changes of formation. Until a few years ago Dylan Carlson, the band’s leader and only constant member, had to deal with drugs and health problems that put a break on his productivity.

Guitar, cello, bass, and drums design the repetitive motives of Earth’s work. The music drags the listener into a long-drawn movement of recurrent pitches. In “His Teeth Did Brightly Shine,” the simple bass line exemplifies the concept of drone music: dull melodies and monotonous rhythmic patterns. When the drums join in in “Waltz,” they create the same steady beat that pulls distorted melodies in slow pace. The cello plays prolonged notes that range from a very low register to higher pitches, while guitar riffs present the same short themes over and over.

Contortion and dizziness remain a constant, minimal sounds are surrounded by beautiful calmness. With Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II, Carlson confirms to be back on track, proves that his creativity has not come to a conclusion, and that his music is yet to keep being very influential in its genre.