Dumbsaint - Panorama, in Ten Pieces

by Adrian Huggins

published: 25 / 11 / 2015

Label: Bird’s Robe Records
Format: CD

Mesmerisingly unpredictable second album from cinematic Australian instrumental band, Dumbsaint

Review

Dumbsaint are billed as cinematic instrumental band and on 'Panorama, In Ten Pieces' they definitely live up to this description. While it can be listened to as a stand-alone album, the Australian four piece also fittingly created a sixty-minute film to complement their sound. The album glides effortlessly from intense, dark slabs of thinking person’s metal to triumphant uplifting moments. The result is a mesmerising and engaging album which keeps you guessing throughout. The subsequent film is described as being a 'suburban horror' which follows the residents of a street in darkness, and they have captured on it the unpredictability and feeling of hidden secrets and dysfunction perfectly. Even though without the visuals Dumbsaint have done a great job of creating enough fodder for the imagination to weave its own visuals. It is not at all surprising to learn that they have toured their native Australia with the likes of This Will Destroy You, Russian Circles and Boris, as they nestle amongst such bands while carving their own deeply dark atmosphere. There is a menacing glow about them that would satisfy any metal fan, but the songs are also unpredictable and twist and turn from start to finish. Think somewhere between Tool, Deftones and 65 Days Of Static. If you are looking for a heavy sound you would do well to seek out ‘Low Visions’, ‘(partition)’ and 'Cold Call' , but there are lighter cuts ass well in the form of 'Long Dissolve/Temps Mort' and 'Love Thy Neighbour'. Dumbsaint seem equally at home with their mellower side as they do with their amps cranked up to 11. The album closes with the victorious but perilous 'Barren Temples' but not before the epic 'Of No Return' gives you a full behind-the-couch cowering-in- fear last thrill. Dumbsaint lull you into thinking everything is okay before making it noisily apparent that it isn't, but leave you with a slither of sunshine right at the end.

Track Listing:-

1 Low Visions
2 Communion
3 Love Thy Neighbour
4 (Partition)
5 Cold Call
6 Graceland
7 Long Dissolve / Temps Mort
8 Neighbour (Reprise)
9 Of No Return
10 Barren Temples

Band Links:-

http://www.songkick.com/artists/350007
https://dumbsaint.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dumbsaint/
http://www.dumbsaint.net/
https://instagram.com/dumbsaint/
https://vimeo.com/dumbsaint