Release
date: November 01st 2016. Label: Self Release. Format: CD/DD
The
Dead At Sea – S/T – Tracklisting
1.The
SS CORVUS 07:19
2.9
KNOTS 07:13
3.CONVOY
HN25 09:35
4.DROP
ANCHOR 14:24
Band Members:
Chris
Srivens
Pete
Jones
Bruce
Goodenough
Review:
The
Dead At Sea is a fairly new band from the UK, comprising members of
Mothertrucker and Opium Lord. Two other great bands you should check
out if you haven't already done so. Anyway, back to The Dead At Sea.
The
Dead At Sea play a style of instrumental progressive stoner
rock/metal. Parts Karma To Burn, Pelican and Russian Circles but with
a more experimental based sound. It's quite an original sound that
the band have as they add a subtle distorted tone to their music.
Opening
track – The SS Corvus – has a very raw sound to begin with but it
soon becomes more clearer when the heavy riffs appear. The band make
subtle use of the change in rhythms as the song progresses to it's
natural conclusion. The guitars are played loud from the very start
with the drumming adding a doom based vibe. The sludgy post-rock
grooves are handled superbly well especially when added with the
psychedelic stoner riffs.
I
forgot to mention that the album is a concept album of some sorts.
The description below will give more info:
“SS
Corvus was a 1,317 GRT[2] Norwegian steamship built in Copenhagen in
which was attacked and sunk by two German U-boats in the English
channel 1945”
This
explains why the album has a major nautical theme running throughout
especially on the second track – 9 Knots.
9
Knots is the more emotionally involved song on the album as it's a
slow-paced song with the band opting for a more restrained doom vibe.
The Dead At Sea feel they were influenced by The Fall Of Efrafa on
this song.
Third
track – Convoy HN25 – carries on the experimental Doom/Stoner
Metal sound but played at a faster pace. This song gives you the
feeling that your facing immortal danger as the riffs have quite an
exciting stop-start approach to them. The song changes into a more
sullen post-rock affair around the 4 minute mark but the band soon
return to their heavier psychedelic roots. The final part of the song
can only be described as WOW. A stunning mix of Psych, Doom and
Stoner riffs that bring back memories of early-Pelican style
post-metal.
The
final song – Drop Anchor – is almost 15 minutes long and is
perhaps the song I have the most issues with. The band try to many
different ideas. Some come off well whilst others sound distinctively
flat. It's a very good song but it would have been better if the song
was cut short by 5 to 6 minutes or so. Though the guys include a ton
of heavy riffs to keep you entertained.
If
you're looking for something different to listen to then I recommend
you listen to The Dead At Sea's debut album. It's an album that
demands your full attention. Check this out. You won't be sorry.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
