Pombagira have emerged from the gloom with their most profoundly epic album to date MALEFICIA LAMIAH.
Comprising two songs 'Maleficia Lamiah' and 'Grave Cardinal', their
fifth album in as many years pushes the very boundaries of experimental,
psychedelic, down-tuned, mind-expanding music. The album was recorded
in June 2012 at Foel Studio and then finished at their favourite
recording haunt Earthworks in Sept 2012. Maleficia Lamiah illustrates
the band as possessing a paisley ebullient mood, ready to take on the
world.
No longer being sharply defined as a doom band, Maleficia Lamiah
reflects a certain maturity which comes from Pombagira's intent on
concentrating solely on composition rather than playing live shows.
While their retreat into silence, although missed by many, may have
initiated whispers of disbandment, Pombagira have steadied their intent
to unleash something so monstrous and so exciting, that many will be
surprised if not shocked when they hear this new tome.
Although the departure from previous releases will be evident, there are
of course the anchor points to ease the listener into their new epic
corpse-scape style. Amps rage and soar with a focussed endeavour to draw
the crossroads onto your flesh while the drums breathe a new life,
reviving the Haitian cascading rhythms which nail the point for your
ingress into their world.
Pombagira have drawn on their deep respect for the past. By
acknowledging their influence to bands like Amon Duul II, Pink Floyd and
Caravan this album stands as a testament to their ability to embody and
innovate these past masters. For embedded within both 'Maleficia
Lamiah' and 'Grave Cardinal' there rest tales of journeys into the world
of the Pombagira as witch, while 'Grave Cardinal' restates their
critical mass as a moment of transgression where the dead meet the
living. But this is no Hammer House of Horror 'cheap trick' reference,
rather a reflection on Pombagira's involvement with the occult, academic
writing on history and otherness, while also providing insight into the
hypnogogic world where dreams and reality merge.
Resplendent in its intent, vibrant in its intensity, beautiful in its
introspection, Pombagira may this time have really found the portal
between the visible and invisible worlds. A magnificent psychedelic down
tuned progressive behemoth Maleficia Lamiah will after due process
expand your mind. Pombagira's fifth album deserves to be acknowledged as
one of the greatest progressive feats in the last decade or more. As a
result the band don't promise an easy ride through their paisley tinged
sound scape, but one which when aboard you will never be able to depart
from again.
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