Sunday Soundcheck: Set 040

An enigmatic outfit who always managed to avoid any sort of commercial success through their years of incessant touring, Aereogramme released two albums in the early 2000s that introduced their sound: influenced in equal parts by Mogwai and crushing metal passages more akin to doom metal than indie rock. These early releases are somewhat spotty in consistency, but it all came together in 2004 with Seclusion. After the indifferent introductory track, their at-the-time innovative mix of harsh passages and beautifully evocative moments of introspective orchestral compositions hit a high-point with Dreams & Bridges and particularly with The Unravelling - a brooding, cinematic departure that leaves a lasting impression. This passage of play is completed with the beautifully harrowing I Don't Need Your Love, followed soon after by Alternate Score; a curtain-closing instrumental track that crashes to an haunting crescendo.

After recording an interestingly hypnotic and deceptively simple collaboration release with ISIS in 2005, the vocalist for Aereogramme lost his singing voice for the best part of six months. The band returned with what proved to be their swansong album in 2007, but it was clear that whatever spark of genius that was captured for Seclusion and carried through the Fishtank sessions had disappeared back into the aether.

In 2010 a few members of the band came back together to form The Unwinding Hours, which continued with the subdued, heartfelt themes that their previous project had ended on. However, there are further flashes of greatness to be found within; none more clear than the opener, Knut. Be sure to check it out here.