REVIEW: Rhododendron - Ascent Effort
- David Waites
- 29 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Portland trio RHODODENDRON carve their way out of the underground rock scene through relentless fusion and progressive experimentation on their second album, Ascent Effort.
Formed in 2019, the band have established themselves through immersive, visceral live performances and unrestrained compositions that push beyond genre boundaries and refuse to be contained.
The opening track, Firmament, cascades into a mystical synthetic atmosphere, combining high tones with distorted, shadow-like guitar riffs. Delicate percussion follows, creating a sense that something mysterious and special is unfolding. The drums gradually intensify while the guitars become heavier, introducing an almost Middle Eastern-inspired melody. Together, these elements create a powerful opening track. Towards the end, the breakdown of riffs alongside the rapid percussion evokes shades of BIFFY CLYRO while still maintaining the band’s individuality. The layering of instruments and shifting tempos are fused together expertly, never feeling rushed or out of sync. It serves as an exceptional introduction to RHODODENDRON.
Like Spitting Out Of Copper, the shortest track on the album, shifts into jazz-infused rock. The drums are softer and more restrained, while the bass slows the tempo and introduces subtle rhythmic variations. The guitar carries a mysterious tone, evoking a cinematic quality reminiscent of a James Bond score. With what started with an underlying sense of uncertainty and curiosity the track suddenly transforms. Gentle cymbal taps and restrained guitar chords explode into destructive drum passages and heavy riffs. Harrowing screams follow, and the song feels completely reborn. The transition is sudden and disorientating, yet the heavier elements had been subtly lurking beneath the surface throughout.
Stow moves into a more traditional grunge direction, drawing clear influence from NIRVANA. Distorted guitar tones and raw energy define the track, while elements of the previous song’s vocal aggression carry over. High-pitched amp distortion, drum breakdowns, and fragmented guitar sections reinforce the band’s tendency toward constant movement rather than static composition. At times, the vocals briefly dominate the mix, but they soon dissolve back into the instrumentation, allowing the guitar work to reassert itself. The emphasis on isolated guitar notes combined with sudden drum interruptions proves to be an excellent creative choice with the bass and lead guitar remain steady anchors as the percussion drives the track into relentless intensity.
Family Photo returns fully to the heavier side of metal. The snarls and bellows, combined with rapid-fire guitars and erratic drumming, push the track deep into doom metal territory. As the song descends into a whirlwind of anger and ferocity, the percussion unexpectedly softens, creating the feeling of dark clouds slowly dispersing. The shift introduces a surprising sense of clarity and calmness, acting as the complete opposite of the aggression the track was built upon. Rather than ending abruptly, the song closes with a feeling of uneasy peace.
Within Crippling Light is the album’s longest and most ambitious cut, and it wastes no time showing its scale. It opens with a marching drum pulse and melodic riffs, but it drags its feet early on, looping a little too long before anything really kicks in. When it finally explodes, it hits. Gut-punch bass, snarling guitars, pure weight. But the track doesn’t stay controlled for long. It spirals into screamo chaos that often feels more messy than meaningful, with distortion piling up until things blur rather than build. By the time it reaches its finale, it’s aiming for something huge — a grand, crashing climax — but it overstays its welcome. Repeated hits and drawn-out sections sap some of the impact it’s clearly reaching for.
Ascent Effort doesn’t always know when to rein itself in, but that’s part of what makes it so compelling. RHODODENDRON throw themselves headfirst into shifting riffs, explosive percussion and constant left turns, building a record that feels chaotic, unpredictable and completely unfiltered. Are there elements that seem stretched out and outstay their welcome? Yes, but in a scene flooded with safe, formulaic releases, RHODODENDRON’s refusal to compromise makes Ascent Effort feel genuinely exciting and equally refreshing.
Score: 8/10
Ascent Effort will be released on 15th May 2026 via The Flenser.
Words: David Waites
Photos: Evan Mason-White
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