Ready or not, I’m inviting you to a 5-song funeral.

The experimental post-progressive sludge metal band (okay, just post-metal will do) Cult of Luna, known for their strong fan base, has released a new EP at the start of the year. Titled “The Raging River,” this EP is the first work released under their own music label. The band describes this EP as a bridge connecting their 2019 album “A Dawn To Fear” to what’s next. We’re already curious about what lies on the other side of this bridge.

With this 40-minute EP, Cult of Luna offers almost the length of a studio album to their listeners. Following their Mariner album, this release also features a surprise collaboration, but this time it’s only on one of the five tracks.

While some fans absolutely love “The Raging River,” others still haven’t moved on from the Mariner album and want more Julie Christmas. However, the guest on this album is Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens Of The Stone Age), a longtime dream collaborator for the band. His vocals on “Inside of a Dream” take us on an introspective journey. I honestly didn’t expect his velvety voice to fit so well within this work.

The opening track, “Three Bridges,” begins with tribal rhythms and a xylophone, gradually shifting its direction. The tribal sound at the start and the atmospheric synth halfway through really drew me in. While I can’t find any faults with the song itself, I couldn’t fully connect with it. It feels like it’s missing a small detail that would complete it.

The second track, “What I Leave Behind,” has aggressive riffs that are quite catchy, giving it a harsher feel. The use of synths is heavier here, and it really makes for a dark, almost cold, song.

As we move forward, the aggression of the first two songs gives way to melancholy. Mark Lanegan’s voice, sounding like it’s telling you to close your eyes and dream, takes center stage on “Inside of a Dream.” True to its name, the song is dreamy. Would I listen to it repeatedly? Probably not. But I think its placement in the EP is perfect, adding a nice touch of calm to the overall atmosphere.

“I Remember” is a track I’ve played over and over. I can say I was smitten with its first half. The minimalist, almost jazz-like drum patterns and sparse guitars sound wonderful. As the song progresses, it becomes increasingly somber and brooding.

And the closing track… “Wave After Wave” hit me so hard that I’m struggling to describe it. It’s likely to stay among my frequently played songs for the rest of 2021. The consistent but cohesive drumming, plentiful synths, Johannes Persson’s growls, along with a heavy dose of sorrow, gloom, and darkness, make for an emotionally impactful experience. I recommend listening to these 12 minutes with your eyes closed.

In summary, the songs on this EP don’t have as many ups and downs as those on their older albums. While it bears some resemblance to “A Dawn To Fear,” the drumming is noticeably more simplified compared to previous works. But it is emotionally intense, laden with gloom. For those who haven’t listened yet, I strongly recommend “I Remember” and “Wave After Wave.” From here on, all we can do is wait for what lies on the other side of the bridge.

Asuna Pehlivan