Pombagira — Iconoclast Dream
For the first half of the song (20 minutes or so), Pombagira opts not to tamper with the tried and true stoner/sludge metal formula: fuzzed out power chords in plodding quarter notes, moving up and down in consonant intervals, massive stairsteps... the drummer beatifically locked in a lazy, behind the beat groove, garnishing with indecisive fills, unchanged from the days of "Dopethrone" and "Dopesmoker". The band's energy level is constant, in a maze of repetitions that one feels will never end.
In a serviceable imitation of Matt Pike's throaty chant, the vocalist repeats a chorus of sorts, "Iconoclast dream / savage reign supreme". I don't find these to be particularly memorable or meaningful lyrics, however the vocals are sparse, and the thick guitar tone, perfect for the style, should draw most of the listener's attention. They have clearly invested in quality amplifiers. This ear pleasing sound in combination with the band's immersion in the rhythm render this release basically listenable, so any fan of the doom genre should find themselves nodding their head and reaching to turn up the volume knob.
The band does finally stagger out of the repetitious, lethargic riffing, as well, and surprisingly they show some versatility and an ability to build an evolving emotional landscape. At first, it's just the same riffs again, shifted to clean tone against a percussionless silence, but this subdued section eventually winds a meandering way to a post rock vibe, and melodic canyons filled with contemplative thoughts unknown to the first half of the piece, which comes across as utterly without sentiment or sympathy. The band abandons their repetitious structures for labyrinthine melodies and progressions infused with wistful nostalgia and genuine compassion. During this time it seems their range of influences is much wider, and so many ideas come into play within a short time, it's almost hard to believe this is the same band that was so determined to drone into infinity during the earlier segments.
When another bout of thick distortion inevitably erupts again 8 minutes later, the riffs have (thankfully) completely changed, and the song continues to progress at a faster pace than before. And then, right when it seems we're getting somewhere, the band makes an unwelcome and uninspired return to the tired chorus, and it's hard not to forget about all the great moments that have occured since its last repetition. The narrative seems somehow negated.
The vocals and drums drop out, and the central chorus riff continues to repeat with increasing doses of feedback. The great sounding feedback and a long sample of a passionate poetry reading in the final two minutes save the ending. "I was run over by the truth one day / ever since the accident I have walked this way" and "Stick my legs in plaster, tell me lies about Vietnam" are the phrases that stick out in my mind. There are a couple clumsy rhymes, but its quite the thought provoking finish. The last sound on the CD is applause.
Pombagira's "Iconoclast Dream" is a good album, and a solid composition. I predict rabid fans of doom should be pleasantly immersed, if not amazed. Others will enjoy sections of it, but complain of overall monotony and lack of originality. The band certainly has a powerful, at times hypnotic sound, so I look forward to a future recording that builds upon the best ideas from this disk. If they trim away the fat and forsake the formulas, they could create something wonderful.