MajoraAphotic

Novocastrian post-rock/prog dudes Majora are all about the mood, man. Fear of Falling Forever (which we premiered yesterday) I feel isn’t the best example of Majora’s work.

Textures and palettes rule over riffs and leads. Syncopated and shifting Aphotic subsumes their influences in delay and reverb—we know every prog drummer has a hard on for Neil Peart, it’s nothing to be ashamed of—and it’s soon clear everyone in this band is on equal footing. There’s no dick measuring going on between a Portnoy and a Petrucci…so to speak. Easing back into ambience, Every Shadow Is Threatened By Morning Light paints a serene landscape, evoking sun-shy rocky coasts and crisp winter shorelines.

There’s no dick measuring going on between a Portnoy and a Petrucci…so to speak.

Kursk, which I can only surmise is a tribute to a sunken Russian submarine, is the clearest throwback to the mid-2000s Manchester prog scene since…well, itself. Swelling guitars crash upon thumping bass ala Oceansize or Amplifier. Notes are preserved and float up through flurries of arpeggios, caught in distorted guitar crosswinds. I half expect a Mike Vennart swan in, waxing lyrical about drugs or space and such; maybe phone him for a collab?

Subtlety is often a dog-whistle for “boring” in post-rock; Majora do a bang up job of keeping it sombre and keeping it satisfying. Bring on the album, please.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Kursk – Requiem, Aphotic, Every Shadow Is Threatened By Morning Light
STICK THIS NEXT TO: Animals as Leaders, Oceansize, Amplifier (early)

P.S. It gave Sarah clit tingles.