Blizzard At Sea is a Sludge/Post-Metal Band from USA
The members are:
Jesse Cohen - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Steven Douglas Ross - Guitars, Vocals
Pat Took - Drums
I have been a fan of Blizzard At Sea for a couple of years now. Ever since, they sent me their superb debut EP - Invariance - to review. A year later, they sent me their 2nd EP - Individuation - to review and the results were just as explosive. Now it is time for Blizzard At Sea to announce their true arrival to the Sludge/Post-Metal world with their full-length debut album – Certain Structures.
Certain Structures is an album that defies time and space. It reaches past the cosmos into unknown territory all made possible by the heavy and angry Sludge/Post-Metal carnage that awaits you on this excellent album. Certain Structures is a heavy slab of Post-Metal riffs that has the power to change your perception on everything around you. The band pulls no punches on this release. Hard hitting lyrics and shattering vocals combine with the deadly menace of the sludge atmosphere Blizzard At Sea are pummelling your senses with.
First track – Under The Firmament – provides only a brief glimpse on what to expect on the album. Hazy epic riffs spliced with intricate loud/quiet vocals with a dark edge. From here on in Blizzard At Sea, take you on a dangerous musical odyssey, which will not only heighten your senses it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
You are now in for a powerful trip indeed…..
Second track – Subjugated Apophenia – is one the albums main attractions. An almost 10 minute epic that slowly gets under your skin with some finely slow paced instrumental work before the band unleash their fury on an unsuspected listener. Ambient/Post Rock vibes violently collide with the heavier and more destructive Sludge/Post-Metal riffs playing in the background. This is an unsettling track, which shows Blizzard At Sea at their most creative and dangerous.
From here on in Blizzard At Sea shift the balance perfectly between light and darkness or quiet/ambient vibes against the more dangerous and powerful Sludge/Post-Metal riffs that see them destroy everything that lies in front of them. Check out excellent tracks – Certain Structures and Invisible Surfaces. Proving that Blizzard At Sea are comfortable writing both quiet melodic Post-Rock tracks and the louder angrier Sludge/Post-Metal tracks which made me a fan of their music in the first place.
It is on the 2nd half of the album where the band lay down the heaviest riffs they have ever written. Especially on the 10:18 minute epic – Almost Awake – which could be the finest track Blizzard At Sea have written yet. Loud, Angry, Destructive and Powerful all in one go. The vocals are simply sublime here. It is great to see a Sludge/Post-Metal band adding some much needed creativity into their music. Blizzard At Sea has written powerful lyrics that will almost get an emotional response from the listener as it did with me.
If you are a fan of Isis, Neurosis and Cult Of Luna then you are going to be in your element here. Certain Structures harkens back to the good old days of Sludge/Post-Metal where emotion and creativity were equally as important as the music. Blizzard At Sea have managed to create that very same atmosphere those legendary bands are known for.
I could go on and on telling you, more of the albums secrets but that would be spoiling it for you. Let me say Blizzard At Sea have written a wonderful collection of songs that all Sludge/Post-Metal fans will love. Need more evidence, check out the frantic chaos of hardcore style riffage of Planeswalker and the beautiful ambient post-rock vibes of Anomie.
Blizzard At Sea has created an excellent debut record full of superb heavy atmospheric Post-Metal riffs to consume your soul with. It is expertly played and produced through out. And it should hopefully see the band win acclaim amongst the Sludge/Post-Metal community.
Certain Structures is a brilliant album that I cannot recommend highly enough. This album probably would not have been released without the wonderful people who backed it at Kickstarter. So I thank them as well for believing in this great band and amazing debut album.
Buy this album when it comes out on BandCamp in October 1st 2013.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Thanks to the guys for sending me a promo copy to review. Much appreciated.
Check The Band From The Following Links.
Official
BandCamp
