Ides of Gemini – Women (2017)

As one of the most anticipated releases of 2017, today we have Ides of Gemini and their latest opus “Women”. Between releases the band changed their lineup a bit, freeing up Sera Timms to focus on vocals while adding Scott Batiste and Adam Murray. With this new configuration the band unleashes upon us ten solid tracks that further develop their already quite unique and intoxicating sound. If you like music that is both Doomy and mysterious, you are in for a treat with this one.

The album instantly pulls you to its magic with the opener “Mother Kiev”. In this piece we have J. Bennett delivering his signature riffs under the enchanting vocals or Sera Timms. While not overly flash or technically complex, the band’s atmosphere is very dense and efficient. As the band rolls through “The Rose” and “The Dancer” we get to appreciate their fuzzy Psychedelic elements which make the band’s sound even more diverse and intoxicating.

“Heroine’s Descent” is by far one of the most hauntingly beautiful tracks in this release with its lush vocal arrangements and dramatic progression, making it an instant classic for the band. Never settling and always delivering new and interesting ideas, the album progresses with diverse tracks like “Sawn Diver”, “The Last Siren” and “Zohra”, showcasing the band’s versatility.

Saving one of the best for last, “Queen of New Orleans” sends chills down your spine with its thunderous bass guitar line and powerful guitars. Overall, the band’s sound in this release is quite tighter and yet still feels free flowing and experimental in nature. With all elements perfectly rounded up by Sera’s signature vocals, Ides of Gemini excels in creating magical music that enthralls the listener since the first note. If you like the band’s older material, this album definitely needs to be in your collection.

Label: Rise Above Records

Release: April 28th, 2017

Genre: Experimental Pyschedelic/Doom

Country: USA