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Horseback - The Invisible Mountain

Rating

RIYL

Grails
Tarentel
Angel Eyes

Release Date

08/03/2010

Label

Relapse

Tracklist

1. Invokation
2. Tyrant Symmetry
3. The Invisible Mountain
4. Hatecloud Dissolving into Nothing

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Recent Ratings
Jeff VanVickle

We all have our own definitions of albums that remind us why we’re even listening to music in the first place and of the records that defy categorization into any specific genre, taking us to places we never knew existed. While these statements may come across as a bit cliche, I am a firm believer that they are cliche because they are true, especially in regards to Jenks Miller’s second LP, The Invisible Mountain, under the moniker Horseback. After Miller demonstrated his mastery of dense and delicate ambience on the 2007 release Approaching the Invisible Mountain, he returns as Horseback to take us to the Invisible Mountain itself, and what a journey it is.

“Invokation” sets the stage for the 38-minute trek into blissful doom with its scratching rhythm section, while a clean guitar loops above the devastation. Most of the four tracks on the album follow a similar formula: repetitious drone riff, followed by hauntingly blistering vocals, followed by several additional layers until the eventual fade-out. This may sound a bit monotonous, but the record quickly develops a soothing, meditative quality that will transport any unsuspecting listener into a world where time no longer exists, as each track unfolds with an incredible sense of patience.

The truly wonderful quality of this record is found in Miller’s impeccable understanding of the balance between light and dark. With “Tyrant Symmetry,” he lays a delicate lead guitar line over a thick and meaty bass tone evoking images of an eagle soaring above a grey desert. The borderline disturbing vocals are still present, but these initially eerie chants become just as necessary as any other element in Horseback’s vast musical palette. A brief and slightly unnerving drum solo serves as the introduction to the title track, and the song continues to fill its seven-minute running time by swirling in and out of the surprisingly catchy melodies found throughout the album.

While it is to be expected that the final track, “Hatecloud Dissolving into Nothing,” will follow suit with the successful formula of the previous three songs, Miller instead creates a 16-minute catharsis that is nothing short of breathtaking. As the gentle guitars tiptoe around each other and the subtly atmospheric keys fade in and out, it is easy to picture a black cloud literally “dissolving into nothing.” Miller’s voice sounds as if it is drowning this time around, and the combination of elements paints endless amounts of landscapes shrouded in mystery. The song is one of the most beautiful experiences to come along this year and compliments the first three tracks in such a way that has to be heard to be understood.

Call it noise-rock, doom or drone, but The Invisible Mountain is one thing for sure: excellent music. It is an album that will sneak up behind you and demand your full attention, and I for one consider it well worth the time.

--Jeff VanVickle