Pelican have been gone for a while, for too long actually. There are tons of instrumental post-rock/metal bands in the world but few that can be said to really matter. Pelican are one such band. Their discography is littered with records that many similar bands will never manage to match for quality. From their debut full-length 'Australasia' through to 2009’s 'What We All Come to Need' Pelican have soared ahead of the pack. This is a band that does more than create just the generic wall of shimmering sound. Pelican create compositions that are stunningly complete. A band like Pelican rarely need words, the music does is all that any listener could ever need.
'Ataraxia/Taraxis' is as complete a release as one could hope for from the band after a three year gap in their discography. Flying by faster than even its short sixteen minute duration should allow, this EP is a steady flowing stream of prime instrumental rock music.
Opener 'Ataraxia' leads into the most obvious highlight of the EP, 'Lathe Biosas'. This is the track that is most going to prove that Pelican have still got their mojo. It soars and climaxes like the wind through the trees running up to the peak of a vast mountain. The rush continues through 'Parasite Colony', then closer 'Taraxis' noticeably takes elements from the sound of latter day Earth into to create some sort of acid post-folk metal concoction.
It is apparent after just a couple of listens that the only thing really wrong with 'Ataraxia/Taraxis' is that it is only a short EP. Hopefully before too long Pelican will be back with a full-length, because, on this evidence it will be something typically spectacular.
'Ataraxia/Taraxis' is out on 9th April via Southern Lord. Pelican tour the UK from 7th to 13th April. An interview with Pelican will be published on Stereoboard very soon.
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'Ataraxia/Taraxis' is as complete a release as one could hope for from the band after a three year gap in their discography. Flying by faster than even its short sixteen minute duration should allow, this EP is a steady flowing stream of prime instrumental rock music.
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