The third LP from the Manchester post rock collective, DARK /// is a record that aims and essentially succeeds in capturing it’s respective namesake. Whereas the band’s 2024 record /// LIGHT served as narrational exploration of trying to find meaning, purpose and optimism amidst the chaos and drudgery of modern living, this new endeavour takes an ever so slightly different approach. In fact, as one might have guessed, DARK /// is the polar antithesis to the band’s last record. Releasing during a period where genocide, tyranny, war and isolation have become effectively normalised, DARK /// is an overt reminder of the rising dangers threatening our fragile existence.
As war rumbles across the world, the political landscape rots and as making ends meet becomes increasingly difficult thing to bridge, here, Civil Service pretty much capture the mood of a country faced with with uncertainty. It all makes for a stark listen; even for a post rock record, a genre typically known for being a conduit for artists to instrumentality articulate their frustrations and anxieties regarding the state of our world, this feels urgent and timely. DARK/// plays out like a soundtrack to an apocalypse that no longer feels hypothetical but tangibly plausible, a record that harkens all the thoughts of acts like Coldbones, We Lost The Sea and Last Of Eden with it’s atmospheric delivery and portent posturing. But it’s also a record that bares the quietest whisper of optimism, something that results a brilliantly bleak listen that’s further enhanced with guest features of from members of artists such as Overhead, The Albatross, Hidden Mothers, Midas Shape, Groan Room and Blackshape.
On the record, the band states; We’re delighted to premiere our record through Noizze, who have consistently championed the best and most exciting new bands in the scene. We hope you enjoy our record, the sister piece to our first album /// LIGHT, and feel the discomfort of dread and hope co-existing together throughout the tracks. We write quite open-endedly and invite the listener to envision their own sci-fi disaster movie in their head. But if you want to consider the folly of humankind, an impending environmental apocalypse, and the chance that we might just make it through, then that’s a great starting point to appreciate the themes of this record.”
“We always want to release love letters to this amazing scene and as such we give huge thanks to the collaborators on this album: Liam from Hidden Mothers, Luke from Overhead, The Albatross, Liz from Midas Fall, Ramin from Groan Room, and Scott from Blackshape. Happy listening, let’s walk hand in hand into the night.”
DARK /// is released via A Cheery Wave and Ripcord Records tomorrow, with pre-orders available here. However, in the mean time, stream the record exclusively early below.