Hot on the heels of their debut full length album, Mountain Caller return with a new EP, Chronicle: Prologue, the follow up and conceptual prequel to their debut Chronicle I: The Truthseeker. That album was released to wide acclaim, as well as a passionate response from an already devoted fanbase.
Chronicle: Prologue gives further depth and insight into the conceptual story that embodies their output, as well as their own musical journey. On latest single, ”Something Stirred From Beneath The Rubble’, guitarist Claire Simson comments
“Something Stirred From Beneath The Rubble” represents the beginning of everything Mountain Caller. Not only was it the first track written by the instrumental progressive post-metal power trio, it represents the beginning of the Chronicle saga in which we find The Protagonist slowly regaining consciousness under a giant pile of rubble. She struggles to free herself of the jagged rock and twisted metal and as the thick black smoke begins to clear she realises she is in the middle of a levelled and deserted city. Beaten and bloodied she surveys the devastation. Then from the quiet darkness, an intruding lone thought.. “Who am I?”.,
Listen now: https://mountaincaller.bandcamp.com/track/something-stirred-from-beneath-the-rubble
Recorded alongside the debut album, Prologue’s tracks consist of the very earliest material written by the band. Opener Something Stirred From Underneath The Rubble was the true genesis of the band’s dynamic mix of heavy, expansive and progressive metal. It’s the culmination of three distinct musical voices collaborating and letting the music lead them, without aiming for any specific genre. Beyond This Black Horizon follows, a live fan-favourite and the band’s love letter to the riff. Stripped Of All But Purpose closes, with the band exploring the widest ranges of their soundscapes and heaviness, while providing some of the most fist-pumpingly metal moments of their career. These tracks highlight the band’s fundamental make up of ambition, passion, and sheer love for creation.
Conceptually, Prologue leads right up to the events of The Truthseeker. We catch our first glimpse of The Protagonist awakening under the rubble of a great fallen city, and setting forth on an oceanic voyage. After a battle that seemingly claims her life, she regains consciousness on a beach, shipwrecked and rocked by waves of sea and trauma. The band conjure Mastodon expanses of sound melded with Sabbathian riffs, all executed with Tool-like wizardry. With the EP seamlessly leading into the debut album, the band want listeners to consume one after the other, creating one cohesive hour-plus journey. Chronicle: Prologue is a chance to more fully understand the identity of the band and to explore the world they’ve summoned.
Chronicle: Prologue is released on July 9th on very limited vinyl and digital formats.
Pre-order: https://cargorecordsdirect.co.uk/products/mountain-caller-chronicle-prologue
Metal Hammer: “A dazzling blend of doom, post-metal, and atmospheric rock”
Knotfest: “The fluid meld of progressive rock, stylized doom, and modern post metal, works in tandem with the band’s methodic penchant for narrative”
Bandcamp: “the sheer variety of textures and moods help these songs feel more truly cinematic than most metal that earns that tag.”
Noizze: “simultaneously fantastical and vitally culturally poignant … as phenomenal as it is crucial.”
Mountain Caller are
Claire Simson, guitar. El Reeve, bass. Max Maxwell, drums.
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