BIG | BRAVE do epic Rawk really, really well. Or more specifically, the core trio of Tasy Hudson, Mathieu Ball, and Robin Wattie do Sludge, Post-Metal, and Doom really, really well. Actually, any genre that BIG | BRAVE decide to tackle they do really, really well. And on Vital, their fifth full-length, BIG | BRAVE has conjured up one of their most memorable records to date and easily one of the most magically monolithic magnum opuses of the year.

With this start/stop pulsating surge throughout, “Abating the Incarnation of Matter” is a broad and brooding masterclass on Post-Metal and a veritable symphony of Sludge that vibrantly hums for a sprawling seven minutes to start this whole shebang off right. Then “Half Breed” shines a light on Wattie’s powerful pipes which, at times, combine the beauty and complexity of PJ Harvey and Bjork during her impassioned cries within a song that’s both serene and unsettling.

“Wited. Still and All…” is foreboding and a little bit mystical even and brings to mind those ominous soundscapes that Angelo Badalamenti did so well during Twin Peaks to make things like forests and swinging traffic lights ever so horrifying. Ball and Wattie’s guitars tear it up next to create this momentous wall of sound during “Of This Ilk” which mercilessly stomps thanks to the thunderous pounding from Hudson’s drumming while later, Hudson’s subdued hits drive the opening half of the gargantuan title track with Wattie’s wails weaving in and out of the tapestry of tunage before heading towards a hearty guitar-heavy thumping to close out the record all proper like.

Vital arrives on April 23rd through Southern Lord Recordings with vinyl dropping on July 9th. Pre-orders for both versions are up now and available here and here. For the latest on BIG | BRAVE, follow the trail of social media by clicking here, here, or here.