Space out because God Is An Astronaut

14 January 2012

Because of their ten year lifespan and obscure lifestyle, you might wonder, what in gods name God Is An Astronaut doing at a showcase festival? Put it this way: for straight ten years they have been a coherent, powerhouse band which deserves a jubilant introduction to this crowd. Did I mention they were Irish? Ireland happens to be the country of focus this year at Eurosonic.

CONCERT 


God Is An Astronaut, Eurosonic, Vera, january 12th 2012

MUSIC 
Extensively peruse space- and postrock from Ireland, the group surrounding twin brothers Niels and Torsten Kinsella have been at it for ten years, still going strong. The music is characterized by high pitched synths reminscent of eighties-styled symfo, but also ravages in explosive math- and postmetal passages. GIAA is a formidable well-oiled machine on stage, and the bands decade-long existence is celebrated by welcoming back their original drummer.

 

PLUS


The band come across as quite accessible, due to the omission of eleborate atmospheric intro's which linger on for three minutes or so. Even with their original drummer back in the fold, God Is An Austronaut is a decorative and accomplished unit. Ten years of crisp, concentrated and periodically ecstatic live shows tells us so: with closed eyes you can lose yourself completely in the imaginative sonic landscapes. The mics are sparsely used for vocals, clearly and effectively used to amp up the vowels. Giving the post-rock intricacies a slightly more alluring character.

 

MINUS

 


GIAA is a band which demands alot of patience to lend an ear to. They prefer their comprehensively meticulous build-ups, a common trait in this genre. They don't seem too keen on adapting to their surroundings, which is in some way endearing. Sometimes the lengthly, dragging song structures get superfluously predictable: a slow-moving, enschewing soundscape, a sonic eruption followed by an extended, mellow breakdown, then finally finishing with an emphatic, culminating climax.

CONCLUSION

The final song is probably the most powerful and revelling, simply because it evokes alot of suprise elements. There are three or four twists and turns which manage to discombobulate and marvel you simultaneously. More o' that please...! Great move to give GIAA 60 minutes of stage time instead of 45. With a catalog of five albums plus an EP, with songs ranging from 6 to 9 minutes, 45 minutes would've been a bit too brief. God Is An Astronaut just turned ten and for one full hour, we are celebrating with them.



GRADE


8

 

Read the artikel on the 3voor12 website here