Chicago, Illinois post-metallers Russian Circles have gained the classification of post-metal due to their low to heavy approach when writing music. However, even though they have the typical post-metal elements present in their music, they offer something special to the genre. Their sound is much more than just typical post-metal. Russian Circles take classically trained music and turn it into a fresh, new metal sound. First came the album Enter, then Station, then Geneva, and now Empros. Empros is the type of album that makes you feel something emotionally, be it happiness, sadness, or a feeling of melancholy. Yes, one's ears know what they are hearing, but the music is still trying to make the listener feel something. One thing to note about Russian Circles is that their songs are very lengthy, but this is a good thing because each track paints a picture or tells a story. Empros begins with the track '309', which starts off with a thunderous bang. A very heavy groove begins the track and continues until about the three-minute mark. The track then takes a turn and sounds like a completely different song, until going back to the original groove, and then finally slows down to end out the track. Next up is the track 'Mladek', which is a very heartfelt sounding track, compiled of monstrous guitar riffs and very syncopated bass and drums. The track slows down at the halfway mark and focuses its attention on the drums (mainly the hi-hat). This track is filled with many textures but never seems to lose its initial focus. The third track 'Schipol' goes a completely different route than the first two tracks. This track could be classified as classical music with an electronic twist. The production on 'Schipol' is very natural and I can even hear some natural sounds thrown in the mix. 'Schipol' could easily be music's equivalent to nature, if there was such a thing.
Only three songs in on Empros, Russian Circles have covered the map. These three musical masterminds have covered so many boundaries in the matter of three songs, that the listener wonders what's left to be covered. Russian Circles however, have some tricks up their sleeves and have a whole lot more to cover in the remaining three tracks. The fourth track 'Atackla' is a very eerie sounding track, in my honest opinion, and serves as sort of an interlude for the album. The track is not much different than the others, in a sense of song structure, but it is a lot slower and calmer than the others. 'Batu' is the longest track on the album, clocking in at a little over ten minutes, while 'Praise Be Man' closes the album and is something very new for Russian Circles. 'Praise Be Man' has to be one of Russian Circles best closing tracks and could be classified as an atmospheric, gospel, eerie, country track. This is the first Russian Circles track to ever contain vocals, but the vocals serve as more of an instrument than anything else and blend nicely with the other instruments.
Russian Circles have proven themselves to be true, understanding musicians with the release of Empros. Each member contributes to the album equally, and Empros is the first Russian Circles album to fully showcase each instruments potential and character. Empros is a very entertaining record and could go down as album of the year, in my book. Fans of post-rock, post-metal, and classical music should pick up a copy of Russian Circles' Empros. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Check out the track 'Mladek' off of Russian Circles' Empros:
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