Wildbirds & Peacedrums #3 - "Rivers" Album Review

Wildbirds & Peacedrums - Bleed Like There Was No Other Flood from Leaf Label on Vimeo.
www.myspace.com/wildbirdsandpeacedrums
http://theleaflabel.com/wildbirdsandpeacedrums

I know I only just posted about these, but this album is just so good I had to try and write it down again. I don't do reviews very well, so I do apologise if it's not up to your normal standard, but I'm not after being paid and I don't want your job, so let's not worry about that...
There is also some new and special news, in addition to the duo show announced for 26th Aug at the wonderful Lexington, there will be an additional show "with Voices" planned for Union Chapel on November 27th - ticket link. These will be special, very special.

Wildbirds and Peacedrums have created a true masterpiece, from start to finish Rivers (the Retina and Iris EP's combined on one double CD) is sublime and beautifully crafted.

Opener Bleed Like There Was No Other Flood is captivating and exquisite, Retina's tracks on the whole are embodied with a choir's echoing and chanting, Andreas Werliin's machine like drumming and Mariam Wallentin's voice resonating above all. Fight For Me is brutal, an energetic ride that cries out for hearing in a live show. Peeling of the Layers is just beautiful, the drumbeats almost military in nature, the voice one of real understated beauty.

Mariam's vocal's make this album a masterpiece for me, powerful yet beautiful at the same time.
There is an almost religious feel throughout, you find yourself in a ritualistic trance, completely immersed in the atmosphere of the record.

Retina is the opus, whereas Iris more subdued, however this is not to say Iris suffers for it, rarely will you hear anything other than the minimalist beat of the steel drum with Mariam's warm vocal delivery over it, but these songs need no more. Highlights for me are The Well and The Wave.

Honestly, breathtaking does not do this album justice. This is a band that is constantly evolving and improving.
Rivers is a guarantee for a place in the end of year lists throughout the internet.

8.6 / 10