Review: Stonebirds ‘Perpetual Wasteland’

Perpetual Wasteland is the fourth and final episode from Breton trio Stonebirds, and it’s a collection of six songs that reflect the journey they have been on over the last decade. They are leaving us with an album that will blow your mind as they reveal they have tapped into ‘ecological decay and human isolation’and wrapped it up in the chaotic brilliance of their composition.

There’s a dark, brooding atmosphere that opens Circles, and then the rhythm section of Sylvain Colas on bass and Antoine Delhumeau on drums come to the fore and lead you on some sort of spiritual journey before the song explodes with the crushing guitar sound from Fanch Le Corre and intense vocals.

Croak has that shoegaze appeal to it, with a clean vocal performance being more prominent as it ebbs and flows supremely well. You get a thrill and a rush of excitement when the guitar riff takes control as it dominates the soundscape and you are begging it not to stop.

But alas, it does and moves onto So Far Away, which sounds like it belongs back in the ‘90s alternative metal scene, with a catchy repetitive riff and accompanying rhythm. It’s a song where you can touch the desperation in the exquisite melody, as they ache at each point across the eight-minute-long track.

bruising doom meets post-metal structure that is unyielding and ferocious…

There’s a stirring of emotions with the epic Sea Of Sorrow, as Stonebirds have sprinkled a bit of grunge for our audible delight. The vocal harmonies are enjoyable, and it moves you with the tempo changes and haunting musicality.

For me, they produce their finest moment on the album with Lit By Fire. It has that bruising doom meets post-metal structure that is unyielding and ferocious with all three at the peak of their powers. I appreciate its heaviness, and when it dials down the full-frontal assault, it stirs feelings and sentiments that will make you stop and think.

It is quite ironic that the final track is called The Last Time and the layered approach fits so perfectly with what has preceded it. It’s sharp yet rugged, incisive yet soothing, with a bass line that just pounds away at your skull. Overall, it’s an album of exceptionally high quality that, when played, will rock the foundations.

Label: Ripple Music
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram

Scribed by: Matthew Williams