Inner Shrine – Pulsar

Inner Shrine are an ambient goth metal band from Florence, Tuscany, Italy – They released their new album ‘Pulsar’ this November. Here is our track-by-track review:

Black Universe

Ambiance is the key here backed up by some prowling riffs and stark drumming. As the track furthers it brings with it a sizzling vocal and more special effects than Dr Who! A compelling track it has to be said.

Last Day on Earth

More special effects of a bubbling smoke ridden chasm that really gets you into the track. That feeling of pure malevolence is prominent. A doom laden feel to it and soft whispered vocal give the feeling of destruction without renewal and makes the hairs on your arms stand on end.

The Rose in Wind

With wind howling and ambiance everywhere stark strings start up and feed your desperate soul. Bringing a lot of imagery to the forefront.

Pulsar

Yet more special effects play out to some atmospheric riffs that really do paint an overall picture of doom. It is saturated in melodic shifts and gripping in its own right.

Peace Denied

Stark and ambient it wearily edges towards a climax of bruising intensity. The blackened breath of the vocals sound strained and full of raw emotion. Definitely no peace to be had here.

Four steps in Grey

Inciting yet more raw emotion this track guides you into a black hole full of intrigue and suspense. A clever spin using electronic sounds to enhance the vocals to a futuristic conclusion. A very compelling heavy track that has gripping qualities.

Immortal Force

Heated and embracing moving faster than the previous tracks with abrasive bite! The scorching riffs and rhythm portrayed here is cataclysmic! Its mesmerising tones are constant and bring the track to life. Superb!

Between

Back to the startling atmospherics, plundering the depths with a magnetic encounter that is shrill and lined with intrigue.

In summary this album is more like a sound track to an apolcalypic movie that plays out with a gripping consequence. Track after track the images come alive.  The band is clearly on a mission to take you on a journey to unexplored new heights with this album. For a lot of us science fiction is exciting and Inner Shrine have managed to capture the feeling on this tempestuous journey into the unknown. It is not overly metal – well not as we know it anyway, but it gives a new slant on things and leads us into a realm of beauty with inspiring keyboard and soft meaningful vocals. However don’t expect to head-bang entirely to this… it does have its metal moments but I feel the band are telling a very sinister story here and want you to be part of it. Very cleverly written and executed with very good formulaic qualities indeed. Love it!

10/10