Bosphorus - Slow Burn



There’s a violent storm brewing far in the north. Vast clouds threaten torrential rain, claps of thunder signal an oncoming barrage of electrostatic energy. This isn’t a weather forecast: it’s the only appropriate way to set the scene for Bosphorus’ Slow Burn, set for release on the 25th of September 2020 through Trepanation Recordings. Seriously, the drama, the foreboding, and the essence of space that this record manages to communicate is akin to beholding a storm front. The Glasgow trio develop dynamic and thematic elements with care, showing attention to detail and great care for their song writing into a familiar but original post-metal sound that you’d be a fool to skip. 


‘Silhouette’ instantly begins the assault with a cascading riff that threatens to trip itself up, if not for such talented control on the part of the Teager, Wiseman, and Hamilton. A dual vocal hook that combines hardcore style vocals simultaneously with a more doom laden delivery calls forth a truly bleak atmosphere. ‘Strain of Thought’ follows on in a similar fashion to the album opener, using that dual vocal blend for the song’s hook. If it ay broke… The synths are more prominent in this tune. My personal taste is synth-cautious, but on Slow Burn they never intrude on the percussive nature of the pounding post-rock foundation, instead adding to the layering of the songs appropriately. Title track ‘Slow Burn’ finishes up the first half of the record with a haunting clean guitar intro and delicately layered clean vocals. The band explodes into an emotive chorus, again showing great care for dynamic development and regression throughout the track. Wiseman gets to flex his snare muscles for an impressive build into a huge closing doom riff accompanied by floating synths and cutting vocals.


The band have clearly thought out the pacing of this album, and it pays off. ‘Weapon’ kicks off side B with a rock n roll punk attitude, throttling the record back into gear after the slow close of side A. ‘Weapon’ may be my favourite track on the album for the range that it manages to weave together so expertly. The closing two minutes are pure 90s inspired brilliance. ‘Cold Comfort’ showcases Teager’s leviathan guitar tone, and is a hypnotic track that both entices and looms threateningly over your ears in equal measure. Album closer ‘Crooked Path’ clocks in at around eight minutes, and opens with a synth groove that would make Gary Numan jealous. The band continue to display their ability to progressively build an epic atmosphere, drawing out moments of pensive intrigue, and expanding instrumental and vocal layers into densely textured moments of majesty.


Chris Fielding and James Plotkin (mixing and mastering, respectively) expertly translate the band’s work onto recorded format, with powerful drums, consistent and full bodied bass, towering guitars, and carefully placed synthesisers never having to fight one another for dominance in the stereo field. 


Some of the most revered names of modern metal bands lie within the post-metal umbrella. With Slow Burn, Bosphorus prove that they too are worthy of such reverence.



JC

FFO: Neurosis, ISIS, Killing Joke, Ken Mode

Bandcamp: https://bosphorus1.bandcamp.com/album/slow-burn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bosphorustheband

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