Disappearer is the latest creative outlet for the majority of the short lived band, There Were Wires (which also includes a member of Doomriders). Whereas their previous outfits were and are more metal oriented, Disappearer is a post-rock group more akin to bands like Pelican and Red Sparowes (both of which they share a definite similarity) that also eschew the inclusion of vocals into their mix.
This Self-Titled EP is three songs of the increasingly popular "epic" orientation of song composition. However, simply calling these three songs an EP is a misnomer. At more than 35 minutes in length, Disappearer extensively explores the aural landscape of the music that they create and put forth here. "Crownfire" leads off the record with a rather calm sounding guitar melody. The bass and drums provide a steady rhythm as the guitar alternates along different melodic movements, strong riffing, and the occasional wah-ed, flanged freak out. It cannot be stressed enough how integral the bass and drums are to maintaining the song's continuity. Even amongst the nice, quiet sections that give "Crownfire" its character. The heavy riffing could probably be bolstered by a healthy serving of bottom end (which most of the EP seems to lack).
"Rust/Dust" was recorded at a previous session and is the shortest composition offered on the EP. Even though it comes from a separate recording period, it still has a consistent and similar sound to that of "Crownfire". The bass has an excellent part in this song. "Universal Fog" also comes from the same session as "Rust/Dust". It is the last and longest piece on the EP. Starting out real nice and quiet, "Universal Fog" adds an ominous mood to the record. There is some more heavy riffing that occurs (again, with a thin sounding bottom end), but for the most part Disappearer seems to be more interested in maintaining the reserved air about their sound.
Disappearer gives a solid EP here. It is much steeped in the quieter musical sounds that are found on the last two Isis albums as well as the aforementioned Pelican and Red Sparowes. Disappearer never really bludgeons the listener at any point but maintains a calm, consistent sound. With some good production, they could probably crank out a really good record. Anyone into their musical kin will find good music on this "little" EP.
