The Ascension Curse of the Golden Isles is a mythological event that is said to have occurred on a distant group of islands known as the Golden Isles. According to the legend, the islands were once a prosperous and flourishing place, inhabited by a powerful civilization. However, the residents of the Golden Isles fell victim to their own ambition and pride, causing them to lose respect for nature and the balance of power. The curse is said to have been inflicted upon them as punishment for their reckless and selfish actions. As a consequence of the curse, the islands were engulfed in darkness, turning once fertile lands into barren wastelands. The civilization that once thrived on the Golden Isles was reduced to ruins, as its people suffered the consequences of their actions.
supported by 7 fans who also own “Thought Conjurer” Having been a big collector of anything I can find on the wonderful Constellation Tatsu label the artwork alone of this release caught my attention. The cover art reminded me of those sci-fi paperback novels from the 1960's and 1970's that would flood my local 2nd hand book shops growing up that would take me to other worlds. Right from the first listen I was reminded of the mid 70's Virgin Years era Tangerine Dream, Klause Schulze, Jean Michel-Jarre, and Ashra. This is a special release and should be put out on vinyl or CD someday but in the meantime cassette or digital download is the only way to go which is fine with me as I still have several tape players lying around. This cassette opened up many other doors for me as I started buying other cassettes, vinyl LPs, and CDs by Majeure and lead me to discover Zombi (2) whom he is 1/2 half of (the other member is Steve Moore). I've even picked up a few releases by Steve Moore and I love it all so as you can see this one cassette was a monster of a release for me. Pick up a copy if you are able locate one as this cassette is long out of print with only small amount pressed. You can thank for me later. I like all the tracks equally on this release. Normally on my reviews I will break down favorite tracks but this is a stunner from start to finish. Eugene Sotela go to album
This is a special release and should be put out on vinyl or CD someday but in the meantime cassette or digital download is the only way to go which is fine with me as I still have several tape players lying around. Will of the Hag opens the album with a swell of organ and a simple, slow drumbeat and bass riff, and for a moment, they are content to just let it ride.
The civilization that once thrived on the Golden Isles was reduced to ruins, as its people suffered the consequences of their actions. Legend has it that the curse can only be lifted by a worthy individual who possesses pure intentions and humility. This person, known as the Ascendant, is believed to have the power to restore balance to the islands and free its inhabitants from the curse.
CONJURER: A REVIEW OF “SIGILS” AND THE PREMIERE OF “ACROSS THE VOID”
There is a tendency in the world of Metal to try to overload every available inch of sonic space with brutality. It’s an understandable and often effective approach, but at times, bands who utilize a more stripped-down strategy are equally capable of blowing the listener’s mind and ears. It is this kind of sense of refinement that is evident in spades on the new album Sigils by Indianapolis-based Sludge/Doom quintet Conjurer.
For anyone familiar with their debut, Old World Ritual, their latest is not a radical departure from the sound they established there, but is a logical and powerful step forward.
“Will of the Hag” opens the album with a swell of organ and a simple, slow drumbeat and bass riff, and for a moment, they are content to just let it ride. The feel is sparse but simultaneously epic, like waves eating away at the beach at night. When the guitars join in, they don’t change the mood but reinforce the lumbering heaviness already present. And then the vocals kick in and the full weight of the music really slams into place. Vocalist Dustin Mendel provides the narrative thrust behind the band. It’s not that the rest of the group isn’t stellar, they certainly are, but the vocals tie everything together. The Doom/Sludge assault peaks with a chorus that is both crushing and catchy. “Darkness. Devour. Life.” indeed.
Conjurer don’t just dwell in the murky slow-tempo. On the second track, “Rusted Crown”, they spend some time rocking an effective Post-Punk swagger, while “Incantate” is full of plenty of swinging drum work, while avoiding any Stoner Doom pitfalls.
And here we debut the track “Across the Void”, a mammoth slab of hypnotic Doom. From the opening moment, Mendel intones his barbarous evocations like some divine beast that cannot choose between existing as a sorcerer or a cosmic warlord. Later in the track, they kick the listener’s ears in with one of the most driving riffs on the record, yet pair it with a huge wash of organ which keeps the mood intact. And that epic atmosphere rides out through the rest of the song.
Conjurer’s greatest strength, though, is the overall architecture of their sound. As they maneuver from one section to the next, every instrument has its proper place. The spare organ work always provides the perfect atmosphere, and the bass picks up the monolithic feel of the material, especially when the dynamics drop lower. The riffs are glacially heavy, yet the guitars never cry out for attention. Instead, they are there to be discovered. It is a search worth undertaking.
Sigils is due out on April 5th and it is not to be missed. It’s an album that needs several listens to absorb the subtle nuances and to enjoy the craftsmanship put into the songwriting process. But from the start, prepare to be crushed, not under the great weight of Earth, but in the vacuum of space. This is the best kind of aural punishment, one for both the mind and body alike.
Below you’ll find streams of two more tracks from the album and info about how to get it.
“Will of the Hag” opens the album with a swell of organ and a simple, slow drumbeat and bass riff, and for a moment, they are content to just let it ride. The feel is sparse but simultaneously epic, like waves eating away at the beach at night. When the guitars join in, they don’t change the mood but reinforce the lumbering heaviness already present. And then the vocals kick in and the full weight of the music really slams into place. Vocalist Dustin Mendel provides the narrative thrust behind the band. It’s not that the rest of the group isn’t stellar, they certainly are, but the vocals tie everything together. The Doom/Sludge assault peaks with a chorus that is both crushing and catchy. “Darkness. Devour. Life.” indeed.
The quest to find the Ascendant is said to be a challenging one, requiring the navigation of treacherous terrains, the overcoming of deadly obstacles, and the solving of complex riddles. Only those who possess true wisdom, courage, and compassion are believed to have the potential to become the Ascendant and break the curse. The Ascension Curse of the Golden Isles serves as a cautionary tale, reminding individuals of the importance of living in harmony with nature and respecting the balance of power. It highlights the consequences of greed, arrogance, and disregard for the greater good. Though the curse may be just a myth, it carries with it a powerful message that resonates with people to this day. It serves as a reminder to take responsibility for our actions and strive to live in balance and harmony with our surroundings..
Reviews for "The Curse of Ascension: A Journey to the Golden Isle"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - "I was really excited to read 'Ascension Curse of the Golden Islands' as I love adventure novels, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me. The plot was confusing and had too many unnecessary twists and turns that made it difficult to follow. The characters were also underdeveloped, and I couldn't connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was bland and lacked depth. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and not worth the hype."
2. Mark - 1/5 - "I absolutely hated 'Ascension Curse of the Golden Islands.' The story felt forced and unrealistic, with too many random and unnecessary elements thrown in. The pacing was off, making it a struggle to get through each chapter. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and lacked authenticity. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in this book and regretted wasting my time on it. I would not recommend it to anyone."
3. Emily - 2/5 - "I had high hopes for 'Ascension Curse of the Golden Islands,' but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The world-building was confusing and poorly executed, leaving me feeling lost throughout the story. The characters lacked depth and personality, making it hard to care about their fates. The writing style was mediocre, and the pacing felt disjointed. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and unsatisfying."