IIOIOIOII - Post Brimstone

Ever since 2013's release of "Sun", I have been waiting for more material from IIOIOIOII, the multi-faceted project behind Christopher Gurney. From his start in 2012 with "Reflect", whose roots were founded solid with inspiration from that of Skinny Puppy and the industrial scene as a whole, Gurney formatted his sound to better fit his own style. 

"Sun" was a bridge between his newer sound and "Reflect", keeping well within the industrial genre but also adding in synthpop mechanics among a few more clashing sounds. That album even held one of my favorite songs of all time, 'Rising Sky'. However, it is now in 2015 that we find ourselves with new material from this mastermind. 

"Post Brimstone" is the brand, spanking new EP from Gurney that revels in melancholic beats dreamy sounds. It is a bit of a sendoff for some fans, as his low whisper, growling vocals fail to appear on this album (I am personally hoping to hear those vocals again one day; they provided some kick ass tracks). Not only that, but "Post Brimstone" is very much more soothing and relaxing than anything released by Gurney in the past. 

Anyway, the EP started off with 'Face Them All', and I wasn't that impressed at all with the introduction of the song. The vocals had a slight echo effect to them, but they were also just all too nasally. But, that was only at first, and the beat and rhythm was filled with little bits of IDM influences and otherwise IIOIOIOII sounding beats. Once the chorus kicks in, however, the voice is much better delivered and I was easily able to settle down with the song.

It was with 'We Are the One' that I stopped worrying; this is the type of song that I have come to expect and love from Gurney. Everything was very well produced, and the song itself was one that could be easily listened to as a lullaby. Everything from the ambient sounds to Gurney's sensual voice was on spot and lovely. Plus, the synth work was incredible. 

'Second Chance' continued the ride with smooth electronics backed by very light synth work; it was like floating on a cloud and being drifted across a beautiful, clear sea. 'One Moment' hit in with higher pitched synth work, but still included that spacious, dream-like feeling. That seemed to be a theme throughout the album; this is all something out of a beautiful fantasy popped into real life. 

With the ending track offering some classical instrumentation with piano work and violin, and Gurney more or less offering spoken word lyrics with a bit of a song feel to them, this track sent us off nice and lightly. It was also a final surprise, as it showed a new side to Gurney's array of talent that I have yet to see. 

But, ah, what a refreshment to hear. While I didn't much enjoy the first track on the album and would skip it over while listening to this EP again, there are still four other perfectly done songs that are equally amazing and soothing in themselves. Gurney has taken a chance by performing an album that has not quite been like his other releases, and his work has paid off. "Post Brimstone" is merely the start of a new era for IIOIOIOII, and I can't wait to hear his next full length album. 
May 10 2015