The true glory of the underground comes into play when we manage to get a band that comes out of what feels like utter nothingness to bewilder us with an experience that cannot be considered anything less than essential for one reason or another, but it’s only on rare occasion does such work get the proper amount of recognition that it deserves. When Novarupta came around with “Marine Snow” two years ago, all who heard it knew that it was something special with all the proper accolades following it, fortunately. Yet, that was but one part out of four in Novarupta’s crusade to make a metal experience that encapsulates the four elements. With its third entry in the tetralogy focusing on air, a distinct and vastly interesting shift has occurred in the band’s sound that shows us even more just how special of an act it is in virtually every way.

If we were to look at the first two parts of the tetralogy, “Disillusioned Fire” and “Marine Snow”, it wouldn’t be any sort of stretch to say that they follow roughly the same kind of formula where we see the man behind Novarupta performing most if not all of the instruments at play with a true menagerie of vocalists lending their talents to make each song a unique piece that Novarupta should be proud to call its own. Going into “Carrion Movements”, however, simply looking at the tracklist should make it clear that this record was going to be something different almost entirely with even a significant stylistic shift occurring. And should it even be a question at this point whether or not the band managed to do such a transition justice? Of course, it did! Just two tracks long but stretching jsut over 36 minutes, that alone is enough to catch the eye and ears of someone like me, but it’s the surprising change of being instrumental where this performance really stuns. The musical prowess of Novarupta has never been in doubt for me, but to witness a creation like this where it’s simply the instrumentations that take us on a glorious journey through the stratosphere and beyond sends chills down my spine everytime without fail with the highs and lows of this creation all but wildly captivating with each minute downright hypnotic even in its smallest moments. In just the first track, “Carrion Movements” becomes a compelling record that brings together everything that Novarupta has brought to the table before now, pulls back, and simply lets the listener drift amongst the clouds for this ethereal performance that is a true demonstration of the talent that we’re dealing with here with the effort as a whole another gripping addition to the tetralogy and a testament to the wonder that is Novarupta, as if we needed anymore convincing at this point.

Tackling the elements in musical form is far from a novel idea anymore, but to witness a band like this come around and do it such immense justice is an absolute treat to dig into time after time without exception as it’s each subsequent album that shows us a new side of what Novarupta can bring to the table with each time putting our jaws on the floor and leaving us wanting more, more, more! Whatever the final entry that will cover the element of earth holds for us in the future, there’s no way to deny that “Carrion Movements” will certainly stand as one of the more unique pieces in this exhilirating series.

“Carrion Movements” releases on April 22nd via Suicide Records!

PRE-ORDER “Carrion Movements” on Bandcamp here.

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