Album Review: Bliss by Envoys

Leeds post rock/metal act Envoys release their second album Bliss on 3rd May through PledgeMusic. If you’re familiar with the band’s debut Violescent from 2013, then you’ll know what to expect. This is big, hard post metal; think along the lines of Russian Circles, Bossk or Nordic Giants with a smattering of Don Cabellero thrown in and you’ll be on the right track. Bliss features nine new songs which, in their own words, have been more challenging – and more fulfilling – than anything the band have worked on before.

‘Strange Attractors’ gets the album off to a storming start, the urgency and frantic introduction peaks your interest and gets the blood rushing. There’s an almost grand stoner metal quality to it. ‘The Hostage’ takes those riffs and moulds them round a more expansive core. The vocal hook throws you a curve ball reminiscent of Baroness while the intricate guitar parts push toward math-metal territory, as such you’ll find this to be the most immediate track on Bliss.

The blend of crushing metal riffs with a math-pop sensibility is what draws you into Envoys and it’s best displayed in the wonderful ‘Saboteurs’. From its heavy beginnings it throws you into a math-rock hook before developing into a soaring and beautiful post-rock number. Crushing drums and a strained animalistic vocal see the track out to give it some oomph.  The vocal parts aren’t always a welcome addition, they prove to be a distraction within the title track and while not detracting from the otherwise strong ‘N.A.B’ they don’t feel necessary. The latter carries enough weight and power within the soaring and blistering riffs to negate the need for vocals.

The gentle interlude of ‘Like a Son’ verges on the heart wrenchingly beautiful before ‘5:1’ hits you hard and pummels you with its visceral opening before it develops into an intricate math metal track, gloriously infectious riffs bracket off a double rendition of a big sing along chorus make it one of the standout moments of Bliss. The delicate tones of ‘Apologies’ couldn’t be any more expansive and emotion if it tried; the crescendo and thunderous riffs towards the five minute mark add an extra texture moving the track from regular album track into best work by the band territory. Album closer ‘Reflections & Exits’ is of similar calibre, clocking in at just under 9 and a half minutes it encapsulates all the previous sounds of Bliss into one explosive beast.

Bliss is the product of a band excelling within their sound. This is a band at their most confident and assured. Equal parts moving and crushing, Bliss takes you on an exceptional journey.

AD Rating 8/10