With the amount of records being released in the present era, ranging from the bedroom to high-class studio productions, it is quite a challenge to satisfy my hunger for music lately. Most of this has to do with the fact that the music being released today lacks sincerity, especially considering the avalanche of the ongoing “AI artists.”

GLADIOLUS from Brisbane, Australia could be described as a true progressive rock/metal band with touches of death metal, offering well-thought melodies, interesting vocal arrangements, and passages that connect the dots that are quite enjoyable on there debut full-length release Inertia. 

The album opens with “Myopic,” which after a short ambient intro shows that GLADIOLUS have a lot to offer. With often changes, the band distances themselves from delivering just a pure, lifeless showcase of technical proficiency, something that these guys definitely have, but rather present the work that is alive, dynamic and above all, interesting.

References to various stylistically different artists can be heard in GLADIOLUS’ music. Their explorations within OPETH’s or PORCUPINE TREE’s melancholia speak of that, but the band is not afraid to delve deeper and expand their horizons. As Inertia flows by, a listener is taken to a sound-trip that gets more metal-esque. Each of the songs on the album has its own personality, and labelling this record under a single genre would do this band a lot of injustice. As an example, “Disintegrator” is a hard-on prog number with sound that lies somewhere between HAKEN and BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME.

The craftsmanship and musicianship are top-notch that it ultimately makes me think how is it possible that these young guys deliver such a mature material? And that is a great thing. Starting from two center-pieces “Flicker” and the title track (both exceeding the 10-minute mark), as Inertia flows by, GLADIOLUS are even more prolific; they are like a gladiolus flower that opens up slowly.

To summarise, Inertia is a record largely based on the progressive rock/metal channelling many different elements. This is a true epic, both in length and amount of quality material, which requires quite a few listens to get into it. How far GLADIOLUS are ready to go? Time will tell. But for now they are on the right path.

Take a listen of Inertia on Bandcamp. Like GLADIOLUS on Facebook and follow them on Instagram.