Ummon
Ummon turns a three-piece rock sound into something much larger. Slift combine rough guitar tones, active bass and forceful drums with synthesizers and long, repeating passages. The result is heavy psychedelic rock with the energy of a garage band. It asks for patience, but the strongest arrangements make that patience feel useful.
The title track begins with an echoing guitar figure as the rhythm section gathers behind it. The main riff brings a much heavier sound, while the rough lead voice and clearer backing vocals give the verses another contrast. The band establish both the force and the space that will shape the rest of the album.
It's Coming... allows the guitars to circle around a more extended performance. Hyperion is more direct, with a firm beat keeping the surging guitar sound connected. The difference is important: Slift can stretch a passage into a jam without losing the ability to write something more concentrated.
Citadel on a Satellite begins with a particularly heavy riff before moving into looser, more intricate playing. Bass and drums help the arrangement remain active as the guitars change shape. The quieter closing section provides welcome space, showing how much character the band can create when they reduce the pressure.
Dark Was Space, Cold Were the Stars brings a more melodic psychedelic mood, with vocal harmonies and sweeping guitars. Aurore aux Confins continues that change through a calmer instrumental setting. These passages broaden the record's range and prevent its heavier sound from becoming the only point of interest.
Lions, Tigers and Bears closes with an extended mixture of rough vocals, repeating rhythms and electronic colour. The central movement gives the guitars room to explore before the heavier ending takes over. It is a substantial conclusion that makes good use of the band's ability to maintain energy over a long arrangement.
At more than seventy minutes, Ummon remains demanding. Repetition and thick distortion can become tiring, particularly for listeners who prefer a more direct sequence of songs. Yet the rhythmic detail and changes in texture make it more than an exercise in volume. Slift give their ambition a physical drive, producing a vivid and involving record with room for both force and atmosphere.
