Light Remaining. Abrasive Trees

From the upbeat alternative pop songs of POM yesterday, let's move to a far darker side with south-western England's Abrasive Trees. With its new album Light Remaining the band certainly deserves attention.

The core of the band consists of Jay Newton (guitars), Matthew Rochford (vocals, guitars) and Will Tyler (drums, bass). Each song may need something extra, like a cello, voice, etc. The trio excels in songs that are lurking somewhere in darkness like a massive storm cloud blocking out all sunlight. Whether or not and if so when the storm breaks loose, changes per song and is for you to find out.

Lighter sounds come forward from that solid front that makes up the foundation of the songs. Usually a lighter toned guitar (or two or three). The voice(s) hover(s) over the background. My favourite example would be 'Carved Skull'. From utter silence the song rises. When vocals join, it seems like a monk choir singing in the church of a medieval monastery. Next, Abrasive Trees pulls up that storm cloud before it tones down a little making room for Matthew Rochford's voice. The band keeps playing with the light and the shade, constantly changing the mood of the song. In between I wonder, is 'Carved Skull' a reply to the famous scene/song in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' where Caiaphas and Annas sing their duet? The sonorous sound of Ben Roberts' electric cello and the female voice of Yunala Songweaver add an extra touch to the whole. Finally, the song is filled with extra guitar parts adding to the light and the shade. This song shows Abrasive Trees at its very best.

Promo photo

As a whole, Light Remaining hosts a range of influences. There are some elements in the sound that make me think of symphonic rock, yes, even Yes comes to mind here and there, while the more direct approach brings me to 80s doom bands like Sisters of Mercy. All of a sudden the band can move from a dark, tranquil mood into a postpunk rant as if the two are not contradictory. The band manages to stay out of the clutches of all sides though and created its own, dark universe. One which is pleasant to dwell in as a listener.

Then the band name. What I see in my mind's eye are animals rubbing their skin against the bark of a tree. Does Abrasive Trees come from seeing this, while walking your dog? Of course this has nothing to do with the music. That is solid and absorbing. The kind of music that is able to wash over the listener, claiming attention. From the moment the meditative spoken word section of 'No Solace' begins I am sucked into the album before it actually truly starts. From the moment the band kicks in, full force, I'm fully submerged in Light Remaining.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Light Remaining here:

https://abrasivetrees.bandcamp.com/album/light-remaining-artist-edition