Labels: Neurot
Review by: Kunal Nandi
Stoneburner join an elite rank of bands savvy enough to reference Dune in their band name, and less importantly have joined another elite rank of bands on Neurosis’ label. Neurosis is a good touchstone here as it is with many bands that opt for lengthy song durations, a generally depressing vibe, the odd acoustic interlude and an approach that favours quiet intros, epic crescendos and crushing payoffs. I’m not saying there’s a lot here that you haven’t heard many a time before, but there is certainly none of the navel-gazing, pedal-board dickery of most of the big-name post-metal horde. Instead there is a satisfyingly high amount of down-and-dirty, unholy hardcore chugging like what such genius outfits as Laudanum, Brainoil and Thou might employ. Good stuff.