The post-ISIS world of post-metal still generates a handful of bands worth investigating. Now, that may have as much to do with the appeal of the style as it does with the need to fill the ISIS void, but whatever the case, the pickings are never slim. Therefore, the bands that can chin the bar are usually the ones who win the songs versus guitar pedal battle, which Chicago’s REZN manages to do quite well on their newest foray, Burden.
Perhaps more psych than some of their predecessors, REZN’s atmospheric overlay across Burden is of infinite appeal. The album’s almost obscure tone is the main driver on “Instinct,” which backs in with heavy, post-sludge riffs against a chiming guitar pattern in the verse. Vocalist Rob McWilliams usually soars above it all—sounding appropriately echo-y and ethereal, thus, enabling the heavy workload he takes on “Bleak Patterns.” Yet the real bang for the buck on Burden happens on album opener “Indigo,” an undisputed show-stopper of lush textures and piercing synths courtesy of Spencer Ouellette.
Further ventures into the heavy dreamworld highlight “Collapse,” where, again, McWilliams stretches his vocal pipes. The same applies to closer “Chasm,” which serves as the album’s heaviest cut, perhaps suggesting that REZN is equally as capable of throwing down surly, burly sludge as they are emoting all of the space and exploration that comes with doing business on this side of the metallic fence. Either way, REZN ticks off a lot of boxes on Burden, which is all the more reason to come back for more. (Had to do it.)