This is heavy. I like heavy. Floor has been around on and off since 1992 and have finally re-united to offer us some new songs. Their new album Oblation is a thunderous re-emergence and brings with it a mammoth sound. Presence, heaviness, drones, crushing guitars, and drums all have their say throughout.
From the start, Oblation feels ceremonial. Things get started with the title track and some fuzzed out droning before the entire band comes thundering in. Enormous walls of sound and an outstanding vocal performance from Steve Brooks (Torche) on this one.”Trick Scene” is a real standout for me. Filthy and crusty, but with an incredible groove to it. “Sister Sophia” is probably my favorite track on the album. Throbbing bass and guitars jab at one another for a few moments before the drums and vocals join in. When they do, the band hit a stride that is probably my favorite moment of Oblation. Bold and effective.
“The Quill” comes directly after and continues the bludgeoning along with “Loves Comes Crushing.” There is more abrasive instrumentation on these tracks and Floor moves Oblation into more punishing territory. “Homegoings and Transitions” is the most unique track here to me. It shifts its tone and mood, balancing the brutal and the uplifting expertly. Did you just say uplifting? Yes, I did. The vocals are really triumphant during this song, but there is a sinister riff that lunges in at times.
Going into the albums final tracks, I was already blown away. “Sign of Aeth” only deepened that for me. Totally fucking evil interplay between the instruments goes on for a few minutes before a haunting vocal arrives. In short bursts, the beginning of this song reminds me of ‘SunnO))).’ With “Raised to a Star” and “Forever Still” the band speed things up a little bit more than the other parts of the album. “Shadowline” brings things to a close in magnificent fashion. It is a faster song too, but ends with a few stomping riffs on the way out. A cymbal hit echoes and fades out, bringing this heavy opus to its end.
2014 has been an insanely good year for heavy music and Floor have created a spectacular album with Oblation. Sit down, feel the ground rumble beneath and watch the walls shake. Highly recommended listening.
Rating: 4.9/ 5.0
https://www.facebook.com/floorofficial
Paul runs Bleeding Light Records.