Album
Type: EP
Release
Date: 26/8/14
Label: Red
Moth Records
“To Collapse In Absentia:
Green” DD track listing:
1). Purple on Green 07:08
2). Wax & Purpose 05:52
3). Grit & Fire 05:47
4). False Hopes & Gun Smoke
08:32
5). And to All Things... 05:52
Review:
Traveling
in rarefied air of twisting genres and groundbreaking original sound, Close the
Hatch has a different take on post-metal that cannot be ignored. Eschewing the
layered minimalism and tribal buildups of Neurosis for a more expansive melodic
palette, Close the Hatch loses none of the intensity needed for the sonic
immersion that we all love about post-metal.
A
blend of hardcore style vocals blended with some pleasantly nice clean singing
and a fantastic production; the drums sound HUGE on this. An impressively
balanced and clear mix on this one as well as all the instrumentation sound
great and can be clearly heard allowing the wall of sounds to enter even deeper
into your headspace.
The
second track “Wax & Purpose” moves into more post-rock territory with airy
tremolo picked reverb melodies ghosting over dreamscape vocals. “Grit &
Fire” enters into some deep Deftones territory particularly around the two
minute mark with the song entering into what could be an outtake off “Diamond
Eyes.” The coda of this song firmly enmeshes into Explosions in the Sky
territory as well with dueling atmospheric guitars. A really cool stylistic
blend I like is that Close the Hatch has integrated some less underground elements
effectively into their sound.
“False
Hopes & Gun Smoke” has what is my favorite sonic part of the album in the
vamp for the first couple minutes, a really nice slow burn with some excellent
minimalist guitar work and VERY cool use of effects. The longest track on the
album, it boasts some long form songwriting more typical of the genre and
similar to what Cult of Luna does often in that it builds quiet-heavy over a
couple cycles until the last section of the song which makes it feel as if the
entire song is building to those moments. The plodding and powerful rhythm
guitars during the coda are perfectly placed in this appearance on this song
and Close the Hatch definitely picked the right spot to use them.
The
closer “And to All Things...” is the most “post-metal” sounding of all the
songs boasting riffing/and lead work more typical of the genre. Not to knock it
down at all because it's very well done and fits perfectly at the end of this EP
leaving you with the feeling the other songs were building to this moment. The
interlude in the middle is pretty exceptionally layered as well with some
pretty great interplay between the piano and guitars. This is my favorite track
on the album and the monolithic singularity of the atmosphere it presents is
perfect for those long car rides at night alone. A great EP and I'm sure these
guys crush live. Based in Dayton, OH it looks like they have been playing shows
in that region and if you're in the area check these guys out. Available on
bandcamp below for name your price or from Red Moth Records on CD. Check it
out.
Words
by: Chris
Tedor
It is available here
for name your price DD
For
more information:
