Ancestors have always been an interesting band to follow. Between 2008 and 2012, the band released three full-length albums, an EP and a split with Graveyard, increasingly refining their sludge metal and moving more into progressive territories. Live they were also a force to be reckoned with, as I experienced myself during an excellent gig at the prestigious Roadburn festival. And then there was silence…
To be honest, I’d already given up on ever hearing from Ancestors again, but much to my surprise and delight, the band never ceased to exist. Instead, Ancestors have been undergoing a great metamorphosis. Long-running members Justin Maranga and Jason Watkins are now joined by new drummer Justin Pouliot (Horse the Band), slimming the band from five to three members. Next to that, there is a label change from Tee Pee Records to Pelagic Records.

Hopefully putting these difficult times behind them, Ancestors are now back with “Suspended in Reflections”. Obviously, everything that happened during the last six year has had its impact on the sound of the band, which is now much more progressive and artistic, leaving the sludgy sound of the past behind. Pink Floyd is a prominent influence here, but I can also hear some occasional Opeth and even post-rock and doom on “Suspended in Reflections”. It’s good that Ancestors still know how to sound heavy as well, with crushing riffs giving the progressive atmospheres a healthy dose of weight. However, sometimes they take it a bit too far, seemingly losing focus on occasion (“Into the Fall”, “Release”), but with powerful anthems like “Gone” and “The Warm Glow”, Ancestors manage to truly impress. On “Suspended in Reflections”, we can hear a band clearly finding the sound that suits them best and having plenty of talent to build a bright future upon this solid foundation. Welcome back, guys!

(8.5/10 Lykle Thijssen)

https://www.facebook.com/ancestorsband

https://ancestorsla.bandcamp.com/album/suspended-in-reflections