French artist Sairen‘s Heavy Sparkle Never Fade EP grips with a structurally dynamic instrumental dark-rock prowess. Balancing intensity with melodic sophistication, the compositions evoke both darkness and transcendence, creating expansive, emotionally charged soundscapes. Centered on themes of self-discovery and the search for truth, the release offers a powerfully reflective listening experience.
A consumingly climactic opener, “Abolir” maneuvers initially via swelling, dreamy keys and a subtle orchestral glow. Heavy slabs of guitar distortion and pit-pattering percussion move in thereafter with seamless cohesion, taking hold with blistering command by the two-minute turn as the darkly invigorating guitar pulses venture into a haunting three-minute mark, where those reflective orchestral qualities re-emerge in the background with spine-tingling ardor. Both intensified rock and piano-touched softness appear in the second half, both succeeding alike. Ensuing track “Thelxiope” is another winner, brooding in its interplay between ghostly twangs and chugging distorted undercurrents.
While EP finale “Royal Phoenix” delights in its organ-laden vibrancy and cathedral-set hard-rock intrigue, the preceding “Livermorium” feels like the release’s centerpiece. Growling guitars and panting percussion swirl with infectious darkness to start, moving into an array of eclectic guitar tones — from wintry string-touched spaciousness to all-enveloping aggression. Especially on display there, the EP consistently delights in its riveting structural developments and ferocious rock sound.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
