Heirs - Fowl (2010)

In 2009, Australian post-metalers Heirs released their debut LP entitled Alchera, which received much praise from many Australian communities due to its brooding, sonic intensity. The band was not praised much elsewhere, and were fairly unknown at the time. Just a year after Alchera was released, Heirs released Fowl, and it is a sonic masterpiece. This type of music could literally produce a trance in the listener, due to its pulsing repetition. While Alchera was more drone oriented, Fowl has given the band a spot in the heavy instrumental scene, along with veterans Isis, Pelican, and Neurosis.

Fowl is an intense, but beautiful album. Elements of post-rock and industrial rock, as well as dark electronics, give the album a wider variety in sound. Drummer Damian Coward and guitarist Brent Stegeman mesh very well together and create a brutal, yet melodic vibe. The track 'Dust' slowly builds up into a sonic explosion of sound, combined with monotonal drumming, which is heard in most industrial rock. 'Mother' brings to mind Isis' In The Absence Of Truth while 'Drain' sounds like a mix between Red Sparowes, Mogwai, and Nine Inch Nails.

Heirs are at the top of their game and Fowl proves this. Released by Denovali Records, Fowl is an ear-aching, sonic palette of noise, that takes the listener on a journey through heavy instrumental sounds. Although Heirs follow in the footsteps of post-metalers Isis and Pelican, they also create a sound that is uniquely their own. Making their way out of Australia and gracing the entire globe with their sounds, Heirs are making a name for themselves in the instrumental rock community. I am very pleased with what I hear on Fowl and I will definitely be keeping up-to-date on Heirs.

Check out the tracks 'Drain' and 'Fowl' off of Heirs Fowl: