Album Type : Full Length
Date Released : 13/2/2013
Label : Self Release
DESCENDER,
album track listing :
1). Aten 05:14
2). Dybbuk 07:13
3). Tristesse 06:50
4). Poseidon 05:41
5). Croatoan 07:20
6). September 04:45
Review :
Copenhagen's
Redwood Hill are a pretty unique animal. With a sound firmly rooted in the
post-metal type genre, they sound heavily influenced in the vocal and mood
department by black metal shenanigans. It's a great atmospheric mix, both
influences complement each other very well. They've also put out their debut
full length 'Descender' with an entirely DIY effort, so you know that they have
a solid and admirable work ethic too.
'Aten' starts out interesting and
simplistically enough, and delivers loudly on that potential when it kicks in
proper. It seems bleak but not too bleak, discordant but not too discordant.
The temptation with this kind of band is to just bang out some notes
generically for at least ten minutes and call it a song, but it's already clear
that RH will always sidestep that pitfall. There's always enough meat on the
riff's bones in the right places and enough variety to hold your attention.
They can be loud as chuff and subtle as you like, as is evidenced by the
closing moments of this track featuring piano keys. So far, so musical.
Those keys
do however explode straight into 'Dybbuk'
and more of those blackened vocals, so don't worry - it's not all smooth
sailing. And while vocalist Marco sounds like he's been gargling acid for
twenty minutes directly prior to the recording session this estimation is
quickly dispelled when he breaks out a PROPER REAL SINGING VOICE. I don't want
to put any of you lot off at all, it's actually pretty neat. The dude has a
great range of microphone skills and is a diamond in the rough. Not that the
rest of his band are slouches in any way shape or form - they all came to kick
out the jams, but with the vocals that clear up in the mix they obviously know
what their strengths are and they intend to play to them.
Another
highlight is 'Croatoan'. Not sure if
it refers to the word carved at Roanoke (look it up nerds!) or otherwise, but
either way it's a huge track. Laced with the type of colossal riffing that is
synonymous with the sub-genre and punctuated with more of the same sparse
interludes that also go hand in hand, this is post-metal done well and done
right. Steady beats and crashes that underlie pure atmosphere, moody
aesthetics, the works - but all a punch above the standard. It's all just
really good quality stuff.
Redwood Hill
may sound unique, but they are not in a unique field. There are many different
bands out there that all subscribe to the same sounds that do not survive, that
get pulled down under the waves because they won't work hard or they won't
adapt. Thankfully this band could not be less guilty of any of these offences.
I sincerely hope that they go far, and if they continue along the path they
have started down then I am sure they will do just that. Highly recommended.
Words by : Matt Fitton
