Album Review: Iress – Sleep Now, In Reverse (Church Road Records / Dune Altar)

The stalwart Los Angeles-based dream metal band, Iress, will release their brand-new album, ‘Sleep Now, In Reverse’, on July 26th, 2024, via Church Road Records (ROW) and Dune Altar (USA).

With anticipation having reached feverish levels, Iress finally bring us Sleep Now, In Reverse, and it is a very special album. One that can be difficult to describe as Iress’ sound is unconventional. How do you describe Iress to someone who has never heard a single note of theirs but is taken in by the ‘dream metal’ moniker?

Think of it like pop-doom, with heavy and despondent atmosphere. With that, you are kind of on the right path, but then throw in a lot of emotion, and the picture becomes clearer. Especially once the loveliness of the opening track Falling is heard. Oozing melancholic vibes, there’s a ‘shoegaze’ touch to the instruments, and the vocals drift and soar through the mind. Resulting in something so surreal, that you inevitably start to sink into the Iress sound.

Deeper and deeper we go. Ever Under offering up even more forlorn sounding heaviness and heart-wrenching melodies. The word is captivating, and it is beyond impressive just how the vocals twist around the slow, methodical instrumentals. Then along comes Mercy to push the bar to even greater heights with haunting beauty and thick emotion. Close your eyes and let the Iress sound wash over you. With equal amounts of warm comfort and cold tension. You’ll feel the buoyancy, but be all too aware that in an instant, you could be dragged into the darkness below.

With unfathomable depth, truly immersive instrumentals, and entrancing vocals, the sinking continues with the most melody-laced track so far, Leviathan (The Fog). The simplicity of the rhythm, the breathy vocals, and the big uptick in power as it goes on, ensures it’s another effective effort. Before Iress offer up their peppiest effort yet in Lovely (Forget Me Not). A chance for the listener to move their body in more than just a swaying way.

So much immense power, so much incredible poise, and continuing to be achingly beautiful, The Remains takes us into the latter half of the album in style. Perfectly capturing the imagination with its moodiness, melodrama, and thick layers of atmosphere. Not to sound like a broken record, but once again, the vocals are simply gobsmacking.

You might expect some form of exhaustion to be setting in at this stage, but this is an album brimming with life and Iress consistently send shockwaves out, electrifying the mind, body, and soul. Which ensures the desire to hear what comes next is always high. It’s why In Reverse and Knell Mera prove to be as impressive as everything else heard so far. As haunting as ever, as dramatic as always, and as uniquely captivating as only they can be. Both tracks showcase a powerful instrumental section, and no small amount of beauty crossed with pain. The latter, in particular, has some really meaty guitar parts.

All good things must come to an end, and there’s not much further the listener can sink. Yet, there are still more depths to plumb, and Sanctuary is a stunning penultimate track. Beginning with subtle, soft, dark melody and atmosphere. The vocals are almost whispered, but there’s a burgeoning sense of grandeur, and when that is realised, it’s very special indeed. This track transforming into something refreshingly intense and exceptionally absorbing. The layering of vocals adds a new vibe, making it more frantic sounding.

It’s no surprise that the finale, Deep, is shorter and more like a morose outro, as following that beast of a track is near impossible. Yet, that’s no slur on this closing piece, as it is the perfect way to catch your breath and let the Sleep Now, In Reverse experience rest in the mind. All in preparation to start the sinking all over again.

Unique, incredibly well thought out, and extraordinary music. This is Iress and this is what the experience of Sleep Now, In Reverse offers.

Iress – Sleep Now, In Reverse Track Listing:

1. Falling
2. Ever Under
3. Mercy
4. Leviathan (The Fog)
5. Lovely (Forget Me Not)
6. The Remains
7. In Reverse
8. Knell Mera
9. Sanctuary
10. Deep

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