Earth – Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I

Whilst Earth’s latest may sound like no great departure for those casually familiar with their sound, particularly in the last five years, those who have paid closer attention will find a lot here to explore. The dense sound of The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull is now gone, as is most of that album’s roster, to be replaced with a more spacious sense of instrumentation, and with cellist Lori Goldston (Nirvana), and bassist Karl Blau (K Records) adding their wealth of experience to the dynamic.

The new range of tones and healthy folk influence allow for a listening experience that is lighter and more uplifting than has been heard from Earth in their career. There is nothing to put off existing fans, with the lengthy desert aura of the songs remaining. Dylan Carlson’s distinctively metallic guitar tone is stronger than ever, but there's also an immediacy at play that should captivate anyone looking for an entry point to his dark Americana. [David Bowes]