Spirit
Adrift is
in essence a solo project created by Nate Garrett, a song writer and multi
instrumentalist who earned his spurs playing, recording and touring with as many
bands as possible. Following his own sonic
path Garrett was guided by the masters in the art of heavy riffs, with bands
like Black
Sabbath, Neurosis and Eyehategod serving his guide in
his quest to forge the perfect riff, during his most formative years. Garrett would later share artistic and
personal relationships with fellow Arkansans such as Deadbird, Rwake, Seahag and Pallbearer, with this experience
from the southern heavy music scene leaving a lasting impression upon him. In 2011, Garrett would move to Arizona
On
the 21st of August 2016 Nate Garrett’s Spirit Adrift would return with
the release of their debut full length “Chained
To Oblivion” via Prosthetic Records. The project in itself is a
platform to realise his lifetime dedication to music and is the culmination of
every bit of his musical experience. Musically
and lyrically, “Chained to Oblivion”
is undoubtedly heavy but uniquely uplifting at the same time. As the label bio comments “Spirit Adrift is a necessary healing process, and an artist’s attempt at
contributing his own drop to the limitless well of music, a well that has kept
him alive.”
Today
at The
Sludgelord, it a our pleasure to have Nate Garrett shares his
thoughts on some of his favourite doom records, as we turn the dial up to 11, “Because 11 is one louder”
1.
Black
Sabbath – “Sabotage”
(1975)
Sure,
“Master of Reality” probably fits
the doom bill more, but “Sabotage”
has been my favorite album since the first time I heard it. Though this is a
more experimental, maybe even progressive effort, the doom is still strong.
Songs like “Hole in the Sky”, “Megalomania”, and “The Writ” are among the heaviest songs Sabbath ever did. I feel like
they pushed the boundaries of what heavy music can be with this album, and it
features Ozzy's all-time greatest vocals. The lyrics are introspective,
surreal, and psychedelic. The songs evolve and grow as if they are living
entities. I try to write music that sounds evil and beautiful at the same time,
and “Sabotage” taught me how to do
this. This album has had a bigger impact on me than any other piece of music.
2.
Saint Vitus
– “Die Healing” (1995)
This
is my favorite Saint
Vitus album, largely due to the vocals. Original vocalist Scott
Reagers returns with a vengeance on this album. He nails the soaring
traditional doom vocals, but what makes his singing special is when his voice
disintegrates into psychotic howls and moans. It's one of the most unique
vocals performances ever captured, and it's anchored by a band at their
heaviest and most menacing. During the “Chained
to Oblivion” sessions, I recorded a cover that hasn't been released yet,
and the vocals were definitely inspired the unhinged delivery of Scott Reagers on”Die Healing”.
3.
Warning
– “Watching From A Distance” (2006)
I
was thrilled to hear that Warning will be performing this entire album
at Roadburn.
This album is crushing sonically, and more importantly, emotionally too.
Patrick Walker's lyrics and earnest delivery are heartbreaking. One of my
primary goals with Spirit Adrift is to move people on a deep
emotional level, and this is the album that introduced me to the painfully raw,
confessional approach that is required to make that connection with the
listener.
4.
Rwake
– “Voices of Omens” (2007)
I'm not sure if this qualifies as doom. I'm really not sure what it is at all. Rwake is one of the most fascinating bands that has ever existed. The riffs and song structures are nothing short of genius. This band is on a level that few achieve, and their power is undefinable, indescribable. When I first moved from
5. Pallbearer – “Sorrow and Extinction” (2012)
The
time I spent in Arkansas
