Maestus
Portland, Oregon, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | INDIE
Music
Press
The emotional core of Deliquesce lies in the Shape of Despair-like interplay between keyboards that depress and uplift and guitars that crush and soothe. Nowhere is this more successful than on “The Impotence of Hope,” a stunning track that shows how much potential these guys have. The main guitar line is like a slow, upward spiral that is always just about to break above the clouds. By the time it’s tremolo-picked over a full black metal blast in the song’s final minute, the outburst feels earned. Clean vocals are introduced for the first time and add emotional punch as blackened rasps swirl around them. Although cleans show up again in “Knell of Solemnity,” they’re never overused and maintain their effectiveness. - Angry Metal Guy
Deliquesce is exciting for a whole mess of reasons, though I think that the delightful keyboard padding is one of the most important and sure to be underrated elements of this band. The eerie way that the synths create powerful added layers to this group are mesmerizing. Include that these guys are not only top notch songwriters but musicians who understand how to really tug at the heartstrings with their every melody and you find yourself presented with a group who could rival their peers in bands like Un. - Two Guys Metal Reviews
“The Impotence of Hope” is one of the standout tracks on this record, with a plodding, emotionally heavy sound that continues to pile onto the listener. Repeated heavy emphasis on the first beat of every measure adds to the weight thrown at you, each accent bringing you further onto your knees. - New Noise Magazine
The production on Deliquesce is equally superb, complimenting the music’s meticulous balance of subtlety and savagery. The guitars cut through the mix while the rhythm section thunders below, allowing space for only the vocals, which howl mercilessly throughout. For any fan of restless and uncompromising metal, it’s a divine recipe. - Distorted Sound Magazine
Discography
- Scarlet Lakes (EP - 2013)
- Voir Dire (Full-length - 2015)
- Deliquesce (Demo - 2017)
- Deliquesce (Full-length - 2019)
- Daybreak's Advent (EP - 2020)
Photos
Bio
During 2013’s long autumn, the forlorn and despondent blackdoom of Maestus emerged sotto voce from the Pacific Northwest. Under the hand of SP (Pillorian, ex-Arkhum) and in collusion with KRP (Grst, Gash), SB (ex-Ninth Level), CL (Lodge of the Empty Bed), and NK (Grst, Banewreaker), the band undertook select performances with luminaries such as YOB, Bell Witch, and Velnias.
Their newest EP Daybreak's Advent follows the band’s sophomore record Deliquesce (2019) and the sprawling debut Voir Dire (2015). Mixed and mastered by Markus Stock (Empyrium, Sun Of The Sleepless) at Klangschmiede Studio E, the EP was recorded during the doldrums of Oregonian winter in Eugene, Oregon at Sprout City Studios. It features violin and cello work by Andrea Morgan of Exulansis and a cover of My Dying Bride's “My Hope, The Destroyer.”
Band Members
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