Album Type:EP
Date Released:
Mar
27th 2014
Label:
Self Released
Umbral - track
listing:
1.The Gulf 06:10
2.Umbral 07:55
3.Hive 11:22
Bio:
At
the Graves started in 2008 as a side project to guitarist/vocalist
Ben Price's main band Revolta. Handling all instruments and vocals,
he recorded the I and II EPs. Then he recruited bassist Andy Schmidt
and drummer Joe Jacklin (both from Revolta) to complete the lineup.
After Revolta broke up in 2011, they made At the Graves their main
band and recorded the Solar album late in the year. Andy left the
band a few months after Solar came out (to some critical acclaim),
and Billy Carnes from Xozo and Dry Clouds replaced him. They did a
tour of the southeast U.S. and released the EP Mercurial in 2013. In
late 2013 Adam Weiss replaced Billy on the bass and the band geared
up to record a new full-length
The
Band Members
Ben
Price - Guitars, Vocals, Drums
Joseph
Jacklin - Drums
Adam
Weiss - Bass
Review:
At
The Graves are one of Sludge/Post-Metal's best kept secrets. They
have released a wealth of awesome material and they are hardly known
within the scene. And that is such a shame. If you haven't heard
their 2012 album – SOLAR – then I implore you to headover to
BandCamp and download that now as it's a brilliantly heavy and
hard-hitting album that will leave you an emotional wreck.
But
we are not here for that. We are here for Umbral. At The Graves
newest EP. 24 minutes of brutal and crushing noise laiden
Sludge/Post-Metal riffage. If you're a fan of Neurosis, Isis and Cult
Of Luna then you're going to love this.
First
track – The Gulf – is a blistering slab of heavy riffs that will
impress the hell out of you. It sees the band in fine demented angry
form. It's stays heavy through out the 6 minute plus running time.
The vocals have a hazy out-of-this-world feel tot hem as Ben chants
his way through some dream-like lyrics before unleashing his inner
fury onto the world and it's a great listen.
Second
track – Umbral – starts off with a singular guitar riff with
drums slowly creaking in the background. This track does pay homage
to Post-Metal godfathers – Neurosis – with some familiar vocals
and riffs but that aside this is another excellent track to vent your
anger against the world to. At The Graves show you what they are made
of as they leave no stone unturned in laying down some brutal sludge
based riffs.
Third
Track – Hive – is possibly the main event on the EP. An epic
track that shows you why At The Graves are highly thought of within
the Sludge/Post-Metal scene. It's a spacey noise-rock driven affair
which takes time bringing in the Post-Metal carnage. And that gives
you time to admire the fine instrumental work that the band have
created here. But don't worry folks, At The Graves show their true
selves around the 7 minute mark when the heavy riffs come flying at
you from all directions.
Umbral
is another excellent release from At The Graves. Most of the credit
has to goto Ben Price as he did almost everything here – Recorded,
Mixed, Mastered and written the music and lyrics as well. He may off
even bought the beers for the band to drink when recording this. A
man of many talents.
You
can buy this on Cassette Tape from BandCamp or download this on
BandCamp Buy Now Download. Check At The Graves out now. You won't be
sorry and check out their brilliant back catalogue. There is a wealth
of brilliant heavy Sludge/Post-Metal riffs to impress you with.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Check
The Band From Links Below
Written
by Steve Howe
