HAVEN – Vessel
- Posted on 03-07-2021
The German entity known as Haven is a rather interesting post-metal outfit whose latest EP, Vessel", is a bleak, slightly dystopian, and above all heavy piece of work containing three moody compositions that recall Cult of Luna, Neurosis, and Isis.
First of all, the lavish promo package that I received looks fantastic and a lot of work obviously went into the whole presentation of this 26-minute opus. Musically, it is a varied excursion into a dark and dense soundscape where punishing riffs, vocals that range from harsh to somewhat fragile-sounding, and a general feeling of unease all loom large and roam free. I love the way in which the sprawling tracks move from pummeling passages to rather mellow, introspective ones in such an elegant manner. There are surprises and several unpredictable turns popping up throughout and so the listener is always kept on his or her toes. There is power and intensity in spades here, and Haven tear through their cleverly arranged material with gusto and discipline. The atmosphere is riddled with a sense of existential despair and melancholy, which is emphasized and highlighted by the dissonant melodies and subtle layers of ambient noise that often rear their heads, and I must say that the hauntingly beautiful and almost free-floating "Within" serves as a captivating and deeply moving ending to such a heartfelt musical treat as this EP.
"Vessel" might not be the most bone-chilling or brilliant post-metal release that you have ever come across, but it is a damn fine and well-executed slab of utter darkness and an impressive offering. I could easily see this one appeal to fans of the Norwegian band Solstorm also. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to look around for the group’s first EP, "Anima", and check that out.