Released in 2003 on Hydra Head Records, Australasia is the second full-length album from Chicago-based instrumental metal band Pelican. Known for their atmospheric, heavy, and meticulously crafted soundscapes, Pelican continue to define post-metal on this record, blending crushing riffs with expansive, cinematic arrangements.
From the opening track, Drought, listeners are enveloped in layered guitars, pounding rhythms, and sprawling dynamics. Unlike traditional metal, Pelican forgoes vocals entirely, relying on melody, texture, and structural tension to convey emotion and narrative. This approach allows the listener to focus on the interplay between heaviness and space, a hallmark of post-metal and one of the defining features of Pelican’s music.
Tracks like Night End and Ephemeral demonstrate the band’s ability to craft epic sonic journeys, moving seamlessly from quiet, contemplative passages to towering walls of sound. Guitarists Trevor de Brauw and Laurent Schroeder-Lebec create intricate, interweaving riffs, while bassist Bryan Herweg and drummer Larry Herweg provide a foundation that is both solid and dynamic, allowing the compositions to breathe and expand naturally.
The production on Australasia is crisp yet warm, capturing the full weight and resonance of the instruments while maintaining clarity across complex layers. Each track builds gradually, emphasizing tension and release, a strategy that rewards repeated listening and deep attention.
Australasia is both an evolution and consolidation of Pelican’s sound: heavier and more ambitious than their debut Australica, yet still maintaining the melodic sensibility and compositional intelligence that defines the band. For fans of instrumental metal, post-metal, or expansive, cinematic heaviness, this album represents a masterclass in instrumental storytelling and sonic architecture.
