Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 01/11/2016
Label: Independent
A potent blend
of early-Pelican crunch and Kyuss-style riffage, The Dead At Sea distil the
sound of desert rock sinking into a cold watery grave. “The Dead At Sea” is a compelling combination
of killer riffs and hushed menace that perfectly evoke the bottomless depths of
the ocean
“The Dead At Sea” CD//DD track
listing:
1). The SS
Corvus
2). 9 Knots
3). Convoy
HN25
4). Drop
Anchor
The Review:
This release is suitably heavy for a concept album based on
the grim fate of the SS Corvus, a Norwegian steamship sunk by German U-Boats in
the English Channel in 1945. A potent blend of
early-Pelican
crunch and Kyuss-style
riffage, The
Dead At Sea distil the sound of desert rock sinking into a cold
watery grave. “SS Corvus” opens
proceedings in grand style while “9
Knots” takes things in a hazier, more psychedelic direction, at times
reminiscent of underrated post-metallers, 5ive.
The second half of the album raises the stakes on the
heaviness front. “Convoy HN25” kicks
off with the kind of high-octane riffage Josh Homme wishes he could still
deliver and “Drop Anchor” uses its
mammoth fifteen minute duration to build to a pummelling
climax, complete with a suitably epic solo.
The band’s unconventional line-up of twin guitars, drums and
no bass lends these tracks a distinct character. The guitars are coated in
enough thick distortion to pack a powerful low-end gut-punch during the
heaviest moments while the lack of bass adds a captivating delicacy to the
quieter moments. Some of the album’s best moments come when the volume is
dialled back, like the haunting Slint minimalism of the outro of “SS Corvus”.
This is an impressive debut from The Dead At Sea, a compelling
combination of killer riffs and hushed menace that perfectly evoke the
bottomless depths of the ocean. Hopefully another soundtrack to nautical doom
will be with us soon.
“The Dead At Sea” is
available here
Band
info: bandcamp
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