Russian Circles - Station

Station embodies Russian Circles' second expedition into the remote and atmospheric badlands of modern metal. Campaign is a delicate introduction, flirting with moments of jazz and carefully paced. The metallic pedigree of Russian Circles' members (see Brian Cook, ex-Botch/These Arms Are Snakes on bass) is brought to the fore on the title track and both Harper Lewis and Youngblood demonstrate moments of mathy guitar that probably went some way to earning the band support slots with Daughters and Dalek. Closing track Xavii adopts a softer approach, more reminiscent of Mogwai, warmed by the combination of organ and gentle guitar. With so many recognised acts staking claims on their own corner of the post-rock wilderness, Russian Circles set up camp somewhere between their more well-known contemporaries without specialising or excelling in any one direction. Judged on its own merits however, Station remains a heady, tight and accomplished opus.