Hailing from New Zealand, THOUSAND LIMBS is a relatively new band in the Doom/Post-Metal genre. Following the release of two prior EPs, the band now presents their debut full-length, titled “The Aurochs,” which has ten songs. “A Blessed Life to Suffer” is first. There is a bit of melody in the opening tones, but it morphs to a more dissonant sound with a down tuned riff and thick bass notes. Indeed, the bass carries the sound at times, and while the Progressive elements are somewhat subtle, as the band explores a bit, the sentiment is not lost on me. “A Dim Light to Guide” begins with a slow and low doomscape that is akin to the heaviness of morning fog. They sprinkle in some leads as well, but the guiding light is indeed quite dim.

“Only His Shadow” is where the Post Metal vibes shine, in snippets of the guitar parts and the backing atmosphere. Like a shadow, it retains a certain level of mystery. The next two songs are the title track, divided into two parts. The first part is dirty, vile, and angry, with shifting riffs and weighted accents. The second part has a riff that swings with a bit of a groove. It still sounds dirty and menacing as anything, but you find yourself easily aligned with the groove. “Chapter” is shorter and provides a break from the heavy footsteps of the previous songs. It has delicate and innocuous guitar work, and it is unassuming in scope.

“Form” has a pounding, heavy riff, and equally as vital bass notes that carry the dissonant melody at times. “Fall of Body and Mind” takes you down beneath the surface, into caves that are set deep beneath the earth. There is a combination of depressive, melancholy sounds here as well as some inherent anger. “Beneath Soil and Stone” is a piano led song and it comes out of left field. Don’t get me wrong, I love the change of pace and sound, it is just a pleasant surprise. “A Boundless Heart” closes the album, and it’s as laborious as the footsteps of a mastodon wandering the frozen tundra. Amidst the weight, however, is a frail beauty that springs forth.

How does a ten-track instrumental album hold your attention? With careful, cunning, and creative songwriting, A heavy bass presence is key to delivering this sound, and we have that in spades here. An “auroch” is an extinct cattle species, and that’s the kind of mystery I encounter on the album. Each listen brings something new, and more depth. See if you can unlock some of life’s secrets with “The Aurochs” by THOUSAND LIMBS.