Album Review: The Mountain King / Gate To Xibalba – Split (Cursed Monk Records)

Carl Fisher 2 min read

A mind-altering journey into the esoteric world of sound and silence; experimental drone, done, and dark ambient bands, The Mountain King and Gate To Xibalba have combined forces to release a split-album. Out on the 24th of February 2023 via Cursed Monk Records.

 

 

Two enigmatic artists, two experimental tracks, and two examples of drone at its most erratic and enriching. The Mountain King has been a favourite of ours for some time, having put out stellar release after stellar release. Here, their 20-minute single offering continues to delight in the most polarising of ways.

Polarising because its drone and drone at its most wide-ranging and that isn’t for everyone. Rational Descent (Further Down the Hadal) is a demanding journey of dark, doomy, and diabolical depths. Where every fuzzy musical tone is extended to intense lengths, the atmospheric tension is potent, and it moves with all the power of a glacier. You’ll feel this one echo in your soul, even if the unique style of The Mountain King is so captivating, it passes by in half the time.

 

 

Not to be outdone, Gate to Xibalba deliver their own unique experience with The Esoteric Knowledge of The Stars. A track that has more synth-driven grandeur and much more prominent atmosphere at the start but descends into rumbling and bubbling darkness. Almost horror-like, it is the sound of a nightmare come to life but one you won’t be afraid to experience.

Expect the unexpected and then throw out that expectations. The Mountain King and Gate To Xibalba are two unique artists and offer up two very unique tracks here. Music that can only enhance their reputations as two of the best within the experimental and drone world.

The Mountain King / Gate To Xibalba – Split Track Listing:

1. The Mountain King: Rational Descent (Further Down the Hadal)
2. Gate to Xibalba: The Esoteric Knowledge of The Stars




Links

The Mountain King – Bandcamp | The Mountain King – Facebook | The Mountain King – Instagram | The Mountain King – Twitter | Gate to Xibalba – Bandcamp | Gate to Xibalba – Facebook | Cursed Monk Records

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The Mountain King / Gate To Xibalba - Split (Cursed Monk Records)
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