Band: UNHOLD
Country: Switzerland
Title: Here Is the Blood
Label: Czar Of Bullets
Year: 2018
Style: Progressive Sludge Metal

Review:
Long-running Swissh Sludge Metal band Unhold are back with their fifth full-length album, an excellent followup to their 2015 Towering that I remember I liked so much. Well, this one is even better! We're treated with 8 tracks of Progressive Atmospheric Sludge Metal with Post Metal influences, made of mostly mid-tempo rhythms with occasional doomy slow rhythms as well. Oppressive and massive guitar riffs are supported by atmospheric, mesmerizing leads and occasional classy solos, a laid back but complex drumming, and an imperial bass line that sounds like a giant overlooking and protecting everything from harm. Well worth mentioning is the excellent balance between the main male vocals that are mostly shouted and overused might get boring or even annoying after a while, clean male vocals on multiple layers sounding something like a choir and enchanting female vocals that range between narration and warm melodic chants, even occasional shouts, too. The addition of piano and keys to back up and enhance the whole mystical atmosphere of the record reminded me of Lake of Tears in a way although I know I'm quite far from it. All in all there are so many interesting elements to discover and enjoy on this album that I'm absolutely sure this is the band's best record to date, go check it out on Bandcamp or whatever, but make sure to give it a chance.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 9.5/10

Contact:
unholdmusic.ch
czarofcrickets.com