Released in 2007 via Hydra Head Records, City of Echoes is the fourth full-length album from instrumental post-metal innovators Pelican. Known for their ability to craft expansive soundscapes without vocals, Pelican continue to refine their blend of heavy riffs, intricate melodies, and dynamic atmospheres on this record. The album balances crushing intensity with cinematic depth, solidifying the band’s reputation as masters of instrumental storytelling.
The album opens with Dead Between the Walls, immediately immersing listeners in layers of distorted guitars, resonant bass, and propulsive drumming. Pelican construct songs like architectural structures each riff and rhythm meticulously placed to build tension and release without the need for lyrics. The compositions flow seamlessly, moving from hypnotic, melodic passages to thunderous climaxes, showcasing the band’s command of pacing and texture.
Tracks such as Ephemeral and Lost in the Headlights exemplify the band’s ability to blend aggression with atmosphere. Ephemeral gradually builds from hauntingly subdued guitar lines into a wall of crushing sound, while Lost in the Headlights alternates between hypnotic, clean melodies and heavy, driving sections. The absence of vocals allows the listener to focus entirely on the interplay between instruments, highlighting the band’s intricate arrangements and dynamic contrasts.
The production on City of Echoes is clear and expansive, allowing each instrument to breathe within the mix. The guitars roar without overpowering the rhythm section, while subtle layers of ambient textures enrich the sonic palette, reinforcing the album’s cinematic quality.
City of Echoes is more than a collection of instrumental tracks—it is an immersive journey, an album that demands attention and rewards repeated listening. It demonstrates Pelican’s mastery of mood, tension, and release, creating a soundscape that is both heavy and meditative.
