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THE REVIEW
Old Man Gloom are not just any band. Considering they are formed by members of Isis, Converge, and Cave-In, they can truly be considered a supergroup of the post-core scene.
This "Christmas" (somewhat bizarre title) is their fourth work and features a mix of explosive heavy parts and ambient interludes. The opener starts with an ambient drone that leads into an acoustic opening before being violently overtaken by a devastating finale. Generally, however, the tracks are either heavy or ambient. The more violent parts directly echo what their parent bands have said, with guitars heavy as boulders, vocals quite low and closer to growl than hardcore scream, and a square and compact drum progression.
The songs are never as frantic as Converge but not as monolithic and expansive as Isis. The ambient tracks are often dark and unsettling and serve as an excellent "appetizer" before the massacre. Apart from the excellent "Accord-o-matic," over 7 minutes, the ambient tracks are quite short. Special mention goes to the concluding "Christmas Eve," ideally divided into three parts, closing the album with 16 exhilarating minutes.
To conclude, a work that is not very original, as both the heavy and ambient parts are nothing new, but excellently played and conceived.
Another success for the new American post-core school, which I can confidently say is currently the best producer of extreme music in the world.
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Summary by Bot
Old Man Gloom's 'Christmas' is a strong post-core album featuring a combination of crushing heavy segments and unsettling ambient interludes. Formed by members of renowned bands like Isis and Converge, they deliver well-executed, though not entirely original, music. The album shines especially in its closing 16-minute track that showcases their dynamic range. It's a notable success in the American extreme music scene.Tracklist Videos
Old Man Gloom
Old Man Gloom is an American metal supergroup formed in 1999 by Aaron Turner with drummer Santos Montano, featuring members associated with Isis, Converge, and Cave In. Their releases fuse sludge/post-hardcore weight with ambient, noise, and industrial textures, including the Seminar series and the album Christmas.05 Reviews
