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Ides Of Gemini is a Los Angeles-based black metal/postcore trio, consisting of J. Bennett (guitars), Sera Timms (vocals/bass) and Kelly Johnston (drums). Their The Disruption Writ EP was met with critical acclaim. Their first full-length is Constantinople.

The central themes on Constantinople have nothing to do with the rise and fall of the former capital of the long-lost Byzantine Empire. It’s far more horrific, since the lyrics are all about dismemberment in all shapes and sizes, both physically and mentally.

Such themes are fairly common within the death metal genre, but Ides Of Gemini are as far removed from death metal as one can possibly get.

They are more inspired by bands like Red Sparowes, Agalloch, Isis, Neurosis and Burzum. Timms and company combine the postcore tendencies of Isis and Red Sparowes and combine those with the black metal styled bleakness of Burzum and the merciless drive and darkness of Neurosis. A rather awkward combination, but it works like a charm.

The main basis of Ides Of Gemini is the massive guitar riffs by J. Bennett, beautifully accentuated by Timm’s soaring vocals. Her singing gives the music an evocative quality I seldom encounter. The whole thing is tied together by Kelly Johnston’s almost tribal-styled drumming very reminiscent of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.”

Constantinople is all about contrasts, like light versus darkness and fragile beauty versus crude minimalism. The bleak undercurrent in compositions, such as “Starless Midnight,” “Slain In Spirit” and “Austrian Windows” only reinforce the unsettling and often suffocating atmosphere of this album.

The musical richness of Constantinople is expertly captured by Chris Rakestraw (Danzig, Skeletonwitch) and James Plotkin (Khanate, Jodis). They gave the album its raw yet clean sound, thus enhancing its inherent underground charm.

Constantinople isn’t an easy album to get into. Truth be told, it took me quite a while before it clicked with me. However, as with the former capital of the Byzantine empire, this album is a proverbial treasure chest in terms of atmosphere, ideas and contrasting musical textures. It is utterly original and breathtaking.

(released May 29, 2012 on Neurot Recordings)



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