Drones: it seems like we never can get enough of them these last few years. Ambient drones made by for example The Law-Rah Collective, metal drones like we know them made by Sunno))), guitar drones by our famous Belgian friend Fear Falls Burning. And now it's indie drones with Robedoor as a good example. You can point out great differences between for example ambient drones and metal drones: the first one uses long spun-out electronic sounds and it's mostly the silence surrounding the tones that shows the power of repetition. Metal drones are mainly based on the bass guitar and here it's most of all the overwhelming power of the sickening bass sound that creates the pulsating never-ending effect. Indie drones and metal drones don't differ that much in my opinion. I would describe the music on Robedoors “Rancor Keeper” as disturbed versions of Mogwai creations which have been pulled through the angry-bearded-men-wall-of-sound.
In the Star Wars mythology we know the Rancor Keeper as the big bald guy whose most important shot is the moment he looks devastated after the loss of his loved pet. Robedoor uses this Rancor Keeper to name their release after. Robedoor is the duo Alex (keyboard, cello and drum, or as the promotexts would like us to believe: 'slime', 'knives' and 'distortion') and Britt (guitar, vocals and cymbal, or according to the same promotexts: 'fire', 'howls' and 'cloaks'). On “Rancor Keeper” they present us with four tracks which all grab you by the throat and won't let go until the bitter end. 'Empty Temple', 'Abyss Whisperer' and 'Penitent Runes' all stay (just) below the ten minutes, while 'Wendigo Psychosis' keeps on going for a full quarter of an hour. Personally, I like this last one best. But there is not much difference between the four tracks, so it's mainly just what continuing sound will catch your attention that will determine which one will be your favorite.
If you like ambient drones (and also the easier to listen to guitar drones), because they have a certain stillness and hypnotizing effect to it, than forget the indie drones of Robedoor. If you enjoy the ever lasting violence in metal drones, than try Robedoor as well. Overall, if you love slow, low and heavy in every way possible, that certainly don't skip “Rancor Keeper”.
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