Release
date: May 12th 2017. Label: Battleground Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Hives
In Decline – Tracklisting
1.Hives In Decline
06:55
2.Fuck On Asphalt
05:57
3.Sleeping Dogs
04:41
4.Dry Land 02:01
5.Till Body Quits
04:44
6.Mud 04:57
7.Dread Spectacle
05:36
Members:
Elliot Secrist-Guitars, samples,
vocals
Charles Bogus-Drums
Kory Quist-Bass, vocals
Review
The Ditch And The Delta
are a band I hadn't heard of before. They've been compared to a wave
of different legendary artists within the Sludge Metal field. Though
I feel on their new album - Hives In Decline - the band creates their
own unique sound. Parts Noise Rock, Sludge, Doom and Post-Metallic
sounds. Hives In Decline is built upon math-rock like progression and
that allows the band to create heavy melodic sludgier moments with
fantastic punk/metal vocals.
Opening track - Hives
In Decline - is a confident and self-assured slice of pure
punk/noise-rock driven sound. The song has moments of psychedelic
sludge/doom based grooves that remind me of Kowloon Walled City in
parts that are merged with the post-theatrical sounds of Neurosis.
The album has a gloomy and despairing outlook on life and it all
starts with this great song.
Second track – Fuck
On Asphalt - sees the band opt for a more Sludge Rock driven sound.
It's a more grown-up sound compared to the opening track and the
thumping bass lines add an unsettling feel with The Ditch And The
Delta delivering a more post-punk sound especially with the vocals.
The album may sound and feel under-produced at first, though with a
few more listens of the album, you soon start to become more aware of
the murky atmosphere the band have created on the album. The
different genres and sounds held within the album have hidden meaning
that you may miss the first time you listen to the album.
The album then returns
to a more traditional Sludge Metal sound with songs such as: Sleeping
Dogs, Dry Land and Till Body Quits - carrying on the expert
sludge/doom delivery of the opening two tracks. Hives In Decline
ranks as an uncompromising blend or pure rock/metal aggression and
this band has a lot to say.
It's a shame the album
only lasts for thirty five minutes or so. As the album suddenly ends.
I wanted a couple of more songs from The Ditch And The Delta. Maybe
I'm being slightly greedy there. The Ditch And The Delta aren't
afraid to experiment with their sound and matching their noise/sludge
hybrid sound with moments of Americana which you can hear on the
excellent song - Dry Land.
This album is already
starting to win plaudits within the Doom/Sludge Metal world and it's
not hard to see why. The Ditch And The Delta have delivered a
hard-hitting and uncompromising album that packs an almighty punch.
Excellent and Highly
Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Earsplit PR for the promo. Hives In Decline is available to buy
now via Battleground Records on CD/DD/Vinyl.
Links:
