Battlefields - 'Thresholds Of Imbalance'

Thresholds Of Imbalance is a journey through dark ambient soundscapes and sludgy, distorted waves of sonic chaos.

Battlefields’ new album Thresholds Of Imbalance will be a tough pill for many to swallow. Battlefields sound is similar to Isis; sludge metal with softer melodies to cushion the harsh blow. The band uses simple, slightly repetitive ambient sections that occupy a good portion of space on most of the tracks. Taking time to digest the album is key to understanding what Thresholds Of Imbalance is all about. Battlefields are at their best when they slow things down to a snails-pace, taking time to generate a bleak atmosphere.

The songs range from brief instrumental interludes to a handful of ten-plus minute epics. The band utilizes dual vocals, one a scream and the other a deep bark, to help further expand upon the chaotic vibe present throughout the album. Battlefields holds back on their aggressive side, building up to the moments where the floodgates of hell descend upon the listener.

That isn’t to say that there are no heavy moments to be found on Thresholds Of Imbalance. “Quake And Flood” and closer “Majestic” weigh the listener down with loud, distorted riffs and creepy electronics work. These tracks are a stark contrast to the subtle approaches taken on “The Thresholds” and “Disacknowledge.”

Sludge metal bands are a dime-a-dozen these days, but Battlefields is able to stand out a bit due to their reliance on moodier, more relaxed sonic sections that dominate a fair percentage of the album. While the lack of aggression in the first half of the album is a noticeable flaw, the band makes up for it with a brutal second half. Thresholds Of Imbalance is tailor-made for a selected audience, one that will appreciate an album that smartly blends a stark tone with moments of clarity.