SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BRASS BOX – THE CATHEDRAL

Brass Box
The Cathedral
Dune Altar

Los Angeles’ Brass Box have released their latest album, The Cathedral, under LA-based label Dune Altar. The band features singer and bassist Ammo Bankoff (Tête, Black Flamingo), guitarist Neil Popkin (War Tapes, Rituals), guitarist Matt Bennett (War Tapes), and drummer Pablo Amador (Magic Wands). Exchanging ideas since 2006, Bankoff and Popkins never got the opportunity to work together until countless years later. It wasn’t until 2016 where by chance, Bankoff decided to share her early music demos with Popkins, leading to collaboration and the eventual addition of Bennett and Amador to what would be now known as Brass Box.

“DDM”, the third track off the record, emanates voluminous warmth, a profound yet tranquil vastness coming through the speakers, a sweeping colour scape like a setting desert sun.  This track is a pleasing counterpoint to some of the more rock driven tracks.

“Ivory Skies” screams poignancy, as Bankoff’s radiant vocals create the ambiance of a heavily dramatic gothic landscape. Although elegantly poetic, its somber subject matter sets a gloomy mood with the lyrics “Dreams make no promises, only death does”.

Overall, The Cathedral has a post- punk, gothic aura with its drawled-out vocals and atmospheric qualities. Although Bankoff’s lively vocals and Amador’s drumming keep the songs from being too gloomy, there is an overall sense of mourning that is present throughout the whole album. For those who appreciate the dark post-rock scene, The Cathedral by Brass Box this will fit in their catalogue quite nicely.

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