Navigating You Through the Progressive Underground

Style: post-metal, doom metal (clean vocals)
Review by: Dylan
Country: California, United States
Release date: 18-09-2020

Iress was a very interesting band to discover. Their sound is rather unique yet somehow familiar as they search to blend the dramatics of Doom with the amazing atmosphere present in Post-Rock albums. It’s pretty short, straightforward, and rather minimalistic. At first listen, I was rather unimpressed. However, I could tell that it deserved more time to grow, rather than giving it a short review and a dismissive rating. It sat with me for a few weeks, and I kept spinning it from time to time to see how the album grew (or shrunk) on me. And…

…. it grew. A lot.

Flaw is an incredibly pleasing album to listen to. It thrives in a ”less-is-more” kind of fashion, with amazing soundscapes and atmospheres that give this album a very unique flair. These soundscapes are rather dark or gloomy, but with folk-y undertones that help add a weird sense of hope to it. What doesn’t take on a minimalistic role is the vocals, with Michelle Malley carrying this breath-taking soundscape through emotional and hypnotic melodies, giving the album a further sense of originality.

You shouldn’t come in to this album expecting more than it gives, but rather embracing what is done beautifully. It’s an amazing album to press play, close your eyes, and just let your thoughts and imagination flow. The more you listen to it, the more you get out of it, and that’s always a good sign for an album.


Recommended tracks: Nest, Wolves
Recommended for fans of: Chelsea Wolfe, Emma Ruth Rundle, Messa
Final verdict: 7.5/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | RYM

Label: Independent

Iress is:
– Michelle Malley (vocals)
– Alex Moreno (guitars)
– Glenn Chu (drums)
– Michael Maldonado (bass)


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