Metalcatto
As you know, we get lots of promos—some by mail, some by text, some by smoke signals—but rarely can we give attention to the little band that sneaks into our DMs. That’s the case with Return to Zion, a band that came to us with nothing but a humble request. And well… here I am, getting all soft and offering Burdened with Glorious Purpose a chance. This Post-Rock/Metal release has the difficult task of standing out as an instrumental album, which is still a hit-or-miss subgenre for me. Can one of these finally match the quality of more standard releases, or are we going to be left waiting?
The problem instrumental Post-Rock has historically had is that it often lacks punch and intention—but that’s clearly not the case with Burdened. This is an album that takes you on a small spiritual journey while throwing thick riff after riff. It’s cathartic without becoming overwhelming, and it’s also remarkably diverse. There’s so much emotion here, it feels like my puppy came back to life, never aged, and never had to be put down because of dog dementia (oh! Maybe I’ve overshared again, guys!). Yet despite all that emotion, the technicality is still present, because Return to Zion can shred too.
Production is top-notch in Burdened. The parade of musical ideas and instruments makes me think of an intense mix between Pelican and Ashbringer. The contemplative nature of this album never gets boring, which is incredibly difficult to achieve without a vocalist. It’s all thanks to the deep and introspective guitar work. That doesn’t mean everyone else isn’t showing their A-game, but it’s clear the guitars are the “voices” of this work. I sound more excited than a four-year-old in Disneyland, so maybe it’s time to focus on the things that are less than perfect in the album.
The tracks are long, people—not in a lazy way, but in a way that demands you stop doom-scrolling for a bit (which, let’s be honest, isn’t the worst thing for your mental health). There are so many details that will probably require more than one listen, and if you’re not in the mood to be patient or if you need someone screaming alongside you, then this won’t be what you’re looking for. Of course, there were moments where I wondered if this album would be better with some vocals. I don’t have a definitive answer to that question, but the thought lingers, giving me that annoying itch. That said, this is about as close as it gets to The Ocean making another instrumental album.
In the end, the deep underground—the sewer—totally surprised me in the best way this time. Burdened with Glorious Purpose has awe, drama, pain, and resolution, and that’s something rarely found in the Instrumental Metal world. So, enjoy it while it lasts, kids. It’ll probably be a while before we get something like this again (cue depression sinking right back in).
Label: Independent?
Release date: August 8, 2025
Website: https://returntozion.bandcamp.com/album/burdened-with-glorious-purpose-3
Country: USA
Score: 4.0/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 