Release
date: Sept 19th 2015. Label: SunRuin Records. Formats: CD/DD
Glasrew
Point: Tracklisting
1.I
Descend Into the Deep 01:46
2.Dead
Eyes 07:53
3.Strangers
03:39
4.Vanishing
Point 05:08
5.Now
Wakes the Sea 03:47
6.The
Drift 13:37
7.Pilgrimage
04:30
8.Shelter
02:16
9.Absence
Of Doubt 07:25
10.Shape
Shifter 09:10
11.A
Night of Dark Trees 03:44
12.The
Skeptic and His Shadows 06:41
13.Sound
of Salvation 04:17
14.Return
Trip 08:34
Band
Members:
Niko
El Moche : Bass
Florian
Rambour : Guitar
Fabien
W. Furter : Guitar/Vocals
Niko
Elbow : Drums
Thibaut
Thieblemont : keyboards, machines, back vox, guitar
Review:
The
future looked so bright for Wheelfall. They released a stunning debut
album – Interzone – back in Sept 2012 which was noted for its
great blend of Kyuss influenced Stoner Metal riffs set against an
exciting sci-fi story of Aliens taking over the world. It was one of
my top albums of 2012 as it was packed full of great riffs and vocals
to stand out from the crowd. Almost 3 years later, Wheelfall return
with their double album – Glasrew Point.
If
you’re expecting Interzone Part 2 then think again. As this isn’t
the Wheelfall that I originally fell in love with. This version of
Wheelfall is a cold-hearted, brutal and ferocious beast that has a
cold Industrial Metal vibe running through its veins. The Kyuss
influences are long gone as Wheelfall embrace Sludge/Post-Metal
titans such as Godflesh and Neurosis. Wheelfall have moved from the
Stoner Metal world and turned into Sludge/Industrial Doomsters.
Opening
track – I Descend Into The Deep – is a short instrumental
industrial based track to set up the mood and it’s a cold bleak
start to the album. The album finally springs into life with second
track – Dead Eyes – which is kind of a mash-up between
Wheelfall’s old Stoner Metal sounds given a twisted
Industrial/Sludge Metal makeover. The vocals range from clean based
vocals to the harsher death based growls. If you’re expecting
Interzone style riffs then you’re going to be disappointed as the
album twists and turns that it can be very frustrating at times. Dead
Eyes has an impressive amount of different styles of music –
Industrial, Sludge Metal and Stoner Metal – to name but a few. This
track gives you a good indication of what is in store for you. If you
don’t like the sound of that then it’s best you look elsewhere.
The
following tracks – Strangers and Vanishing Point – creates a more
doom and gloom atmosphere with fast-paced frantic guitars with
industrial based vocals. There is still a small element of Stoner
Metal riffs trying to escape from the background but it’s buried
under all this industrial/sludge based noise. I applaud Wheelfall in
creating some different. They could’ve easily released Interzone
Part 2 but they haven’t. Though they could lose a few fans in the
process as it maybe too harsh for some people’s tastes. Wheelfall
even venture into Ambient Post Rock territory on the 5th track –
Now Wakes The Sea. It’s another instrumental track with different
noises and effects that brings back memories of Nine Inch Nails.
The
6th track – The Drift – is my favourite track off the album as
it’s an almost 14 minute epic. This is where Wheelfall combine the
old sounds from Interzone though splicing it with there new style of
Industrial based Sludge/Post-Metal carnage. This song is more
reminiscent of Neurosis and Godflesh but there’s a still twinge of
Stoner Metal riffs though it can be very hard to detect. Fabien’s
vocals have a real nightmarish quality to them as you can feel his
pain with each passing second. The instrumental work though brutal
once more is pure poetry at times. It’s precise and straight to the
point. The ambient sounds can be uncomfortable at times but I can see
why the band included them on this song.
The
last song on the 1st part of the album is – Pilgrimage – which
sees Wheelfall return to their Stoner Metal roots whilst still
including a dark industrial vibe. This is the first song that you
feel that could be apart of Interzone. It’s a brief glimmer of hope
for long-time fans before the 2nd half of the album starts. Wheelfall
carry on with their Industrial/Sludge/Post-Metal re-invention with 7
more tales of disturbing and nightmarish riffs.
Tracks
such as Absence of Doubt, Shape Shifter and the final epic – Return
Trip are the main highlights from the 2nd part of the album as
Wheefall create some thrilling and disturbing riffs that make you
feel part of the environment. The ambient noises play a more integral
part as the mood becomes slightly creepy.
I
think it’s good that Wheelfall have released an album such as this.
Glasrew Point is a disturbing, frustrating, gloomy and depressing
ride into the darkness. It’s an album that has surprised me on so
many levels. Yeah, I do miss the band that created Interzone but this
album is still an excellent addition to Wheelfall’s catalogue. I
don’t know how Wheelfall will sound in the future. Wheelfall could
return to their earlier Fuzz/Stoner Metal sound but whatever they do
it’s going to be an exciting ride. If you have the time and
patience for Glasrew Point you’ll richly be rewarded with an album
packed full of intense Sludge/Post-Metal nightmarish sounds that will
haunt you for a very long time to come.
Fabien
from the band has told me that there’s a 100 page book to explain
the themes, stories and messages of the album. Unfortunately the book
is written in French. It sill hasn’t stopped me buying the album on
CD/Book Package. Maybe its’ time for myself to learn a second
language as I would love to know what the book actually says.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Fabien from Wheelfall for the advanced promo. Glasrew Point will
be available to buy on CD/DD via Sunruin Records on September 19th
2015.
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