Mountainscape - Traversing Realms

Mountainscape – Traversing Realms
Release Date: 24th July 2026
Label: ROAD TO MASOCHIST
Bandcamp
Genre: Cinematic Post-Metal
FFO: Russian Circles, Inter-Arma, Telepathy, If These Trees Could Talk.
Review By: Mark Young

Cinematic Post-Metal is certainly a new one on me. There are bands who write songs that unfold like a film would, some that consciously put their material against a concept (Azell, for example) and then there’s this. Three songs or tracks, which when I think on it does not do them adequate justice are presented here:

Dune, featuring Amaya López-Carromero who delivers a stunning vocal performance here, The Elder Scrolls and Closure. Of the former, Mountainscape take those works and basically re-tool them through their own filter. The song lengths are representative of their intent, and of the respect they have for the source material. The latter, Closer, is a personal piece original to the band. Of the music I’ve reviewed this year, this is some of the most creative, engaging music that understands the brief that despite it being largely instrumental, it still has to excite and to move the listener.

As far as Dune goes, I’m a massive fan of David Lynch’s original, its soundtrack by Toto is superb, and I haven’t seen the new version yet (my bad) but holding this version, this interpretation of what the story could sound like against that 1984 original I can say that this more than holds its own. Heavy when it needs to be, it absolutely does not forget that golden rule: Be interesting, excite me.

It’s the sort of thing that as a guitarist I’d love to play along to, and isn’t that the reason we pick up instruments in the first place? Amaya’s vocals on this are superb, they conjure images of vast deserts, and of violence amongst the sand. It’s a monumental piece of work that doesn’t flag at any point, and I’ll have to watch the new versions now just to complete that mental comparison.

The Elder Scrolls comes in differently. Its gentle, controlled and looks to gradually build itself with you as its passenger, its delivery is done so it’s totally different from Dune, it zeros in on a more melodic approach which I assume is in keeping with the game itself. I didn’t want to hear what the game sounded like; I wanted to see what this brought me. When it goes heavy, it doesn’t move too far from its foundation, rather it expands in volume and intent. Again, it observes the maxim that it needs to engage the listener and it does.

Closure is different again; The albums ‘original’ composition strides forward, leaving the prior two behind. It has a special vibe to it, one that looks in one direction only whilst still having a sadness to it. What it shows is the coming together of a group of musicians whose superpower is to write incredible music that manages to engage the listener and drag them along on this personal journey. Its no less triumphant than the two that preceded it, possibly more so because of where this comes from. When you listen to this, you will pick up on those special moments that are provided here with each progression delivered in a totally organic way. This is machine built with precision, something that is very special, and they should be applauded for it.

Last words on this; I feel that hearing it here only completes part of the puzzle for the listener. I suspect that once this is played live (if that is the plan, I am so here for that) with the right backdrops then they will take on a life beyond what it is now. As it is right now, make every effort to check this out, and of the artwork designed by the one and only, the ayatollah of rock-n-rolla True Spilt Milk Designs.