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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