We've been telling you for a while now to pay attention to the Swiss post-metal scene (Hubris., Mountain, Es Taut, as examples) and I hope you've been listening. If you haven't, the track we're premiering today is a good reminder and also a good example of what the scene offers, namely lesser known bands making excellent sweeping, epic music under the "post" moniker. NevBorn is the band in question today and I must admit I had never heard of them until I got sent the PR email for their upcoming release, Alkaios · Part II · The Peacock. I was immediately intrigued and not just because of their location; Alkaios was apparently launched in 2016 and is an ambitious project to cover, in music, all twelve of Hercules' famous labors from Greek myth. Post metal, fifteen minute progressive tracks, and Greek mythology? Sign me up!
"ELIS" covers the immediate aftermath of Hercules' cleaning of the stables and is also a great entry point into NevBorn's music, which I've been exploring ever since I heard of them. The immediate touch point is Earthside, with NevBorn's blend of atmospheric post-rock and hard hitting post-metal evoking the same kind of contrast. The comparison is particularly apt when you add in the soaring vocals, which call to mind the same vibe that Earthside were going for with their guest vocal spots (like TesseracT's Dan Tompkins and Sevendust's Lajon Witherspoon).
But NevBorn also have their plenty of their own identity to bring to the table, especially around the harsher vocals, which channel a more abrasive energy than is often common to the sub-genres they operate in. The scope of their work is also unique, with the majority made of these intricate and epic tracks that really give the story, both mythical and musical, time to grow and develop. The end result is a track you really need, but should also want, to commit to, offering much to be explored.
Alkaios · Part II · The Peacock will be released via Luminol Records on March 30th, 2025. For now, you can spend plenty of time with "ELIS". Make sure to follow the band on Bandcamp so you can get more news as the album itself draws near and check out their previous (and equally excellent) release!