ALBUM REVIEW: Nibiru, "Netrayoni" (2018)

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full Length (Reissue)

Date Released: 25/05/2018

Label: Argonauta Records

Vocal treatments, humming effects and elements you rarely hear in sludge decorate the exteriors everywhere. The heart of these songs is firmly in the doom/sludge camp, but this iteration of Nibiru was fearless in an atypical fashion when it came to experimentation

“Netrayoni”2CD//DD track listing:

1). Kshanika mukta

2). Apsara

3). Sekhet aahru

4). Qaa-om sapah

5). Arkashani

6). Kwaw-loon

7). Sekhmet

8). Celeste samsara is broken

9). Viparita karani

10). Sothis

11). Carma geta

The Review:

Italian sludge trio Nibiru released last year's "Qaal Babylon" to some acclaim. The dense atmosphere and ambitious orchestration made it one of the strongest recordings in its discography. With interest up, its label has seen fit to remaster and reissue the band's second album, "Netrayoni." The results are as good as you might anticipate.

The reissue catches the sludge gods at some of their wilder best. "Netrayoni" got favorable reviews when it came out four years ago. It is a record that has held up quite well.

Nibiru's superpower has always been doing uncommon music. Its thick arrangements always have a flourish of something different. That is great for metal connoisseurs who will not be satisfied with just glacial chords, and want a new take on the music. The band is also apt to challenge its fans, as it does in the forbidding 11-minute opener "Kshanika mukta." A noise infused track, it's a step back a few years to what a slowed down version of The Body may have grilled in its backyard. There are syncopated guitars with distortion and quirky vocals. However, songs like "Apsara" and "Sekhet aahru" offer the traditional sludge as only Nibiru can do.

This album was released in 2014, when drummer Siatris was still with the band. Those who came to the group with "Qaal Babylon" may notice delicate divergences. L.C. Chertan was behind the kit for the last record, and the playing there was measured and quite deliberate at turns. "Netrayoni" sees a more ragged style take hold, which works for the record, particular on winding, freakier, more progressive cuts such as "Celeste samsara is broken." On the other hand, it is surely a ponderous matter to hear what the 16-minute "Kwaw-loon" might have become if Chertan had been on the original recording. Nibiru's delivery is nevertheless stunning.

If you are a newer fan, be aware this album is a departure. Vocal treatments, humming effects and elements you rarely hear in sludge decorate the exteriors everywhere. The heart of these songs is firmly in the doom/sludge camp, but this iteration of Nibiru was fearless in an atypical fashion when it came to experimentation. By all means, the current formation remains excellent. However, with "Netrayoni," you are sure to discover layers to the trio you may have missed on its last album. In all, this diversity is only going to make you love what they do all the more.

“Netrayoni”is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook