Epitaph

Ever since forming 16 years ago, Irish quartet God Is An Astronaut has reigned as one of the premier post-rock groups. With its fusion of intense rock instrumentation, ethereal and emotional soundscapes, awe-inspiring dynamics, and transfixing melodies, it's easy to hear why the band is constantly ranked alongside fellow genre champions like Sigur Rós, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Mogwai. Each of their prior releases has offered a breathtaking sonic journey, and their ninth emotive opus, Epitaph, is a record that both sees a progression in their sound while still remaining true to their ethos that helped define the band. The opening title track 'Epitaph' sets the album`s mood. There is pain and loss at work here, but not pain and loss that are given in to. Sparse piano motifs face energetic rhythms, shimmering guitar coatings, and eruptions of dense fury breathe life into a journey of melancholic longing: there is the release experienced when a troubled existence ends in 'Mortal coil' followed by the sombre foreshadowing that is 'Winter dusk'.