https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=414153631943661
I remember Tribune from their early days (est. 2004) as an excellent straight-up Metalcore band who were mega-talented and heavy as fuck. They were along the lines of authentic Metalcore acts like Caliban, Heaven Shall Burn, and Glass Casket. Today with “Elder Lore/The Dark Arts” they have evolved into a band that is pushing beyond the boundaries of Metalcore, traditional Metal, and genre-labelling in general.
They have incorporated elements of Stoner Rock and Doom Metal with influences such as Clutch and Down, and into Prog Metal, with influences such as Opeth and Tool. But overall I would say Tribune are searching for a way out of the genre maze, with the pressures of the music industry, local scenesters, internet trolls, Metal purists, and the general public weighing heavily as they do on many heavy bands. Tribune may be under one particular pressure from the genre/subgenre afficionados, what with their Metalcore roots, whether from cranky & flatulent Metal purists or their teenage counterparts, the Barely-Legal/Metally-Challenged crowd. In a bid to leave this conundrum behind, Tribune seem to have deliberately absorbed as many Metal, Rock, and Hardcore subgenres as possible into their sound as either a diabolical way of confusing the scenesters, an attempt to sell themselves more effectively to the music industry, or just as a plain old “fuck you” to the lameasses who so often lurk around popular music environments worldwide. Perhaps all three!
Absolutely fantastic packaging! A sweet foldout digipack cover with super artwork by Tribune bassist Ryan O’Shea. Brilliant as it literally allows the concept of Elder Lore/The Dark Arts to “unfold” before your eyes as you examine the archetypal images displayed within and get a feel for the ideas behind the music on this courageous Metallic release. Looking into pathways of elemental reality vs. the conflictual state imposed by the human ego, Elder Lore/The Dark Arts is lyrically vivid and provocative to the point it could bring on some excellent Horror/Art film concepts. There are strong themes of individuation and symbolic thought being employed here for sure! Tribune are clearly in a state of innovative progress and this latest release simply smacks of auspiciousness all around.
This band has got a lot of balls (just check out their latest promo pic lol!) to attack their music as intensively as they do, laying out creative and musical challenges for themselves that most bands would back down from or not have the imagination to conceive of at all. “Below” is certainly a standout track, with its hot and heavy-handed bass intro, dark riffing, demented drum solo break, and emergence into a Jazzy Cathedral-esque mid-section. One hallmark of Tribune I’ve always noticed is the tribal pummelling of ultra-heavy toms/double bass drums in unison with imposing, cinderblock Metal guitar riffola, and the tradition is certainly continued grandly on this song and the entire album. Their sound is expanded upon through passages of harmonic and rhythmic counterpoint and harmony, giving the sense of being in a stately Gothic cathedral among a few grotesque gargoyles. Perhaps even Opeth themselves could learn a thing or two from these guys. The darkness and heaviness of the guitar riffs evokes Mr. Iommi and Sabbath, while the clean vocal sections suggest Pentagram and the Stoner Rock leanings as well as the Hardcore roots. Every track is strong, but my faves are “The World’s Greatest Cynic” ( a great asskicker of an epic, ferocious unrelenting musical vitality justifying its 9:10 length), “The Succubus” (love the twist on the zombie concept, very catchy, accessible, and rabblerousing), and “It Came From The Swamps…” (brilliant fucking lyrics, great song, as challenging as it is heavy and an excellent way to open the album…How could VILE ENT not like this primordial misanthropic message???).
I would advise any smart industry types out there to snap up Tribune if you handle “Hard Music” acts. Treat them right and don’t get in their creative way if you do. These guys know exactly where they need to go musically and artistically. If you interfere with their work you will lose out on your investment and fuck up these young men’s livelihoods. That’s not good business, plus it’s unwise and not very nice. Elder Lore/The Dark Arts has all the necessary ingredients of an accessible and unique Metal release for 2012, and Tribune are clearly ready to capitalize on their assets.
-Vile Ent
ashermediarelations.com 
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