In the early 2000s, a new movement began to sweep the Rock and Metal scene, unique and fresh in its approach to the scene at the time. Separate from Alternative Metal, more extreme forms of Metal (such as Death or Black Metal), or Hard Rock at the time, a community of musicians began to create largely instrumental music that relayed melodic soundscapes that layered sound into something highly atmospheric, which engulfed the listener, transporting them to a different place and time. This is recognized mainly as the modern Post-Rock or Post-Metal movement.
With roots that can be traced back decades, to bands like Neurosis, the latter portion of the ’90s and the early 2000s saw the emergence of bands such as Sweden’s Cult of Luna, Boston’s Isis, and Canada’s Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Japan’s Mono began to emerge with something outside the mainstream. Joined by others like Los Angeles-based Red Sparowes, there was also Chicago’s Russian Circles, who emerged around 2004. Also out of the Windy City, with a foundation planted a few years earlier than Russian Circles, was the compelling ensemble called Pelican.
Created in 2001 by founders Guitarist Trevor de Brauw, Bassist Bryan Herweg, Drummer Larry Herweg, and Guitarist Laurent Schroeder-Lebec, Pelican excelled at creating grand sonic landscapes that painted stunning visual imagery, again, absent any sung words. An experience that made each piece of music they released an exciting adventure, it all began with the 2001 self-titled EP, followed by the 2003 debut full-length album Australasia, and culminated in 2005’s The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw, which reached extraordinary heights. At this point, over twenty years later, in all, Pelican has released an expansive catalog of music, including six EPs and seven albums, including 2025’s Flickering Resonance.
Released on May 16, 2025, through Run for Cover Records, Flickering Resonance is Pelican’s first studio album in nearly six years, having last released Nighttime Stories in 2019. With that in mind, the newest release marks the return of founding member Laurent Schroeder-Lebec, who has not been a part of the band since his departure in 2012, last appearing on the 2012 EP Ataraxia/Taraxis. A homecoming for Lebec and a reformation of the original founding lineup led to the creation of Flickering Resonance at Narwhal Studios in Chicago, Illinois.
Coming with plenty of intrigue, Flickering Resonance keeps to the traditional style of Pelican’s being wholly instrumental. Stating the obvious, the new creation is a Heavy Rock record combining elements of Shoegaze, Doom, and Stoner Metal. However, that is not all… because the album delivers nearly an hour of music with only eight songs. Paving the way for an epic sonic journey throughout this record, some stunning examples include “Specific Resonance” and “Wandering Mind,” with each weighing in at over eight minutes in length.
The musical storytelling is unique with a vibrant tapestry woven with heavy melodic guitars, engulfing bass, and rooted, thunderous drums. Mesmerizing at times, Flickering Resonance pulls you from one auditory environment to the next with an unpredictable outcome. With so much more to dive into, other stand-out pieces include “Flickering Stillness,” “Cascading Crescent,” and “Indelible.”
Overall, Flickering Resonance marks a progression to a new level for a band that has found its way home. That is why it is highly recommended to check out Pelican, who seem to keep inventing new ideas, with Cryptic Rock giving Flickering Resonance 4 out of 5 stars.
){kind=link}
No comment