Album Type: Full Length
Date
Released: 27/1/2015
Label: Moments of
Collapse | Shove Records
‘Heavy
Gravity’ DD//LP track listing:
1). The Last
Migration
2). Mountain
of the Divine
3). By The
Lights
4). Heavy
Gravity
5). The Lone
Tower
6). March of
the Locusts
Review:
Rise
Above Dead, once a five piece, lost their singer and rather than putting
together a contest or role call for a new singer, decided to go forth as a four
piece without vocals. For those who have been following the band, this new
album, “Heavy Gravity,” might therefore take some getting used too, because of
how much space and atmosphere their vocalist once filled. So the band made a
bold decision to embark on the well trodden path by other heavy psych bands, but
preparing themselves for both critique and accolades by doing so.
The
critique lies mostly in the parts that sound as though they were made to be
complimented by singing. It is understandable, and certainly forgivable, that a
band who once wrote songs with a singer may have a tough time writing songs
without one. This is the case with Rise Above Dead as they are inconsistent at
holding the attention of the listener from start to finish. But it is not for
lack of trying, the band presents themselves with confidence and when they
shine, they shine bright.
“Mountain
of the Divine” moves into “By The Lights” with a rough transition but both
capture a dark, spacey vibe in their own right, highlighting the potential Rise
Above Dead has as an instrumental band. The former does so with a constant
waterfall of down strummed minor chords and the latter with layers of clean and
distorted guitars, eventually getting caught in something that resembles a
chorus. A snazzy wah-drenched guitar solo follows which breaks into something
more traditionally metal, making this song the album’s stand-out. Following
closely on its heels is the title track whose tipping point is its upbeat
finale and how it transitions into its successor.
The
slow gallop of “The Lone Tower” bodes well, beginning with a static choke hold
before being liberated by a change of tempo. “March of the Locust” is up for
the task of tying the album together and delivers in spades. It starts out
dangerously similar to Pink Floyd’s “Echoes” but continues down a path of
rolling, raucous drumming, a steady driving bass line, and though dramatic, the
guitars don’t necessarily take center stage. Instead, “March of the Locust” is
rhythmically driven, leaning more on developing a steady groove rather than an
onslaught of noise, which might have been what the band would have chosen for,
had their been a singer in the mix.
Rise
Above Dead have taken such a different approach this time out and that made for
curious anticipation during the lead-up to the album’s release. The issue is a
particular level of expectation, and Rise Above Dead ultimately do satisfy that
by demonstrating just how heavy gravity can be. Give this album a spin, try and
forget about where the band came from, and allow space for the setting that the
band is currently trying to place themselves in. Only then can the album be
appreciated for just how tasty it is.
Words by: Victor van
Ommen
You
can pick up a copy here
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