Written: 2nd March 2024
Originally a solo project conceived by Australian, Emily Highfield, Suldusk released their debut album, Lunar Falls in 2019, leading an approach from Napalm Records to sign to their label. Now with a full-band line-up, Suldusk have released Anthesis, named after the period of time a flower is in bloom.
With references to Greek mythology and an astrological deity, the short opening track Astraeus features distant mysterious accompaniment as Emily Highfield’s hauntingly sparkling vocals sail high above, as if sung from a place of great beauty and tranquillity. Sung in Greek, the first lyrics of the album immediately transfix the listener. Beautiful dream / Like a star in the dark / Sea come get it / In the arms / I saved my soul / I kissed my body / It shook me up / Bury us in your fire. With enchanting lulling, Astraeus sets the scene for the rest of the album.
Verdalet crashes through the tranquil atmosphere beginning with harsh, rapid metallic riffs, intense double-kick drumming by Frankie Demuru and Highfield alternating between clean but steel edged vocals and black metal screams. Mother mine, to hang all my hopes / Build shrines. The qualities of both Highfield’s vocal styles are impressive and serve to illustrate the duality within the lyrics and the music. With a profound, subdued central section, Verdalet tells a narrative of struggle, reflection, the search for meaning in the face of ephemeral existence and the challenge it presents.
Birdsong heralds the start of Crowns Of Esper, which maintains a meditative atmosphere throughout. When using a more delicate approach, Emily Highfield’s ethereal tones bring to mind the voice of Hannah Stobart (who sang on albums by The Wishing Tree, a band put together by Marillion’s Steve Rothery). Chimeric and rich in mysticism and poetic imagery (as is the entire album), Crowns Of Esper, a dark folk song, is lyrically sombre and contemplative with a focus on the interplay between light and darkness both literal and metaphorical. Cradled moonlight / Trees speak to me a fate / Fan my eyes, a blind serenade. Some elegant acoustic guitar interplay between the band alongside restrained percussion add to the pastoral elements of the track. Mythical Creatures is another example of such charm, the glorious strings of Rachelle Harvey (cello) and Hayley Anderson (violin) adding layers of tenderness while Highfield’s illusory and febrile lyrics continue to tantalise. Perfect imperfections you lay bare / Under promises a thoroughfare of hope / Give in to the underside / Oh my precious, how long did we bleed on?
Spheara, with captivating moments of violin, initially walks on similar ground to Crowns Of Esper but then builds steadily towards a defiant manta-like statement from Highfield. I will be the power / Now you will see the evidence / I will be the apple of your eye / I will be the power / Now you will see the evidence / I will be the apple of your eye. Following this, an arrestingly rhythmic keyboard-led motif backs a spoken word section (a quote from Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung). Lyrically, the album is, intentionally, open to much interpretation, which only serves to intrigue the listener all the more.
Crystalline (an extolment of resilience and defiance in the face of life’s uncontrollable nature) and the title track, Anthesis, open with deft, gentle, melodic dexterity before ambushing the listener with crunching metallic brutality. According to Highfield, “Anthesis explores themes of grief and acceptance.” Musically alternating between rougher, unrestrained anguish and bewitching progressive and folk influenced nuances, the title track makes it clear that while Anthesis means bloom, life and growth come with both hardships and successes before newfound strength or wisdom can be achieved. A centrepiece of the album, Anthesis is the perfect piece to display the eclectic musical elements the band have to offer a willing listener.
Penultimate track Leven is simultaneously alluring, poignant and unnerving; a track which benefits from guitarist Shane Mulholland’s rich voice joining Highfield’s. Ending the album, A Luminous End conveys a journey, struggle and remembrance. Balancing melancholy with inspiration, it speaks of the universal human experience of facing challenge, honouring the past and finding the strength to continue. Your right to silence / A trial aside / Your destiny falls / You’re alone in here / The honour light is taken below / Glide on. The longest track on Anthesis, A Luminous End makes the most of each member of the band with labyrinthine turns ranging from strident acoustic guitar to black metal howls and incredible passages by guest cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne (who has played with Leprous). Lamenting guitar and children’s cries of play in the distance close the song, leaving the listener with a sense that life’s journey continues.
Emily Highfield is fascinating whether singing with grace and vulnerability or unleashing her inner demons. While cleverly avoiding the dangers of confusion within songs that traverse a range of genres, Suldusk will appeal to fans of Mykur, Chelsea Wolfe, Aleah and the more diverse albums of Opeth; dark folk, blackgaze, post-rock, doom and black metal all feature within the music. Characterised by the balance of light and shade, darkness and hope, spirit and suffering, Anthesis is a statement of intent by Highfield and her band. Through its forty six minutes, the album takes the listener on an exceptionally affecting odyssey of emotions. Join the bloom....
Anthesis is out now on Napalm Records
Visit Suldusk's bandcamp page here.
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