Released:
Rating:
Rolo have brought a new depth to what they do best.
Label: Holy Roar Records
Released: 2nd March 2018
Rating: ★★★★
It is a known trend that each Rolo Tomassi album is better than the one before it. ‘Grievances’, released in 2015, was addictive and ambitious from the offset, a confusing heady medley of fury and malevolence. Now, ‘Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It’ continues in that time honoured tradition by eclipsing what came before. The album lacks the cohesive feel of ‘Grievances’, but instead brings a tighter sound with new layers of complexity. That unpredictable Rolo Tomassi style still ties the album together, but ultimately this release has more to offer than ever before.
Indeed, the mood of the album is far brighter and more colourful than preceding albums, there is an optimistic mood shining through the typical darkness and fury. This optimism often translates as a sense of purpose; where before the dives and declines felt confusing, now they’re focused and thoughtful. This feeling breaks through from the album’s opening, with intro ‘Towards Dawn’ and opener ‘Aftermath’ setting a soft and bittersweet tone. The latter track feels fresh, a beautifully layered soundscape that speaks of the anticipation of pain. Already, Eva Spence’s haunting vocals shine through, a voice that perfectly frames the emotion of the track.
Rolo Tomassi haven’t gone completely soft, however. The epically nail-biting ‘Rituals’ and ‘The Hollow Hour’ both bring the thrashing insanity and furious screams we’ve been longing for. Each song builds from nostalgic longing to guttural intensity. The dips and dives lack the addictive confusion of ‘Grievances’, but instead feel steady and thoughtful, building that purposeful forward-moving feel. Subsequent tracks follow this theme whilst exploring familiar ground, with ‘Alma Mater’ and ‘Whispers Among Us’ delivering an exhilarating, swaggering sound reminiscent of earlier albums.
Since their debut Rolo Tomassi have been masters of building and breaking anticipation, but on ‘Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It’ the switches aren’t as sharp, the expectation lingers throughout breeding a sense of optimism. Don’t fear, that furious intensity that Rolo Tomassi do so well still hasn’t gone anywhere, but with ‘Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It’ they have brought a new depth to what they do best. Eleanor Langford
