Saturday 9 May 2015

Watertank - Destination Unknown (Album Review)

























Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: June 29th 2015
Label: Candlelight Records

Destination Unknown - Track Listing:

1. Automatic Reset
2. Fever
3. Contrails
4. DCVR
5. Last/Lost Hope
6. Surrender
7. Doomed Drifters
8. Scheme
9. Destination Unknown

Review:

I made a joke with my review of Watertank’s last album released back in 2013. Stating that I hope we don't have to wait for another 10 years for Watertank to release their next album. As it took the band 10 years to release their acclaimed debut album. Well it's good to see that it's only taken Watertank 2 years to release their follow up album - Destination Unknown. A great sounding Stoner/Post-Hardcore/Noise Rock hybrid that takes influence from Torche, Floor and Helmet while showing they have a ton of riffs of their own to impress you with.

Opening track - Automatic Reset - is a pop-influenced Post-Hardcore/Stoner Rock blast of loud riffs and upbeat vocals to match. Though look behind poppier moments and you can detect some bleak lyrical content. Watertank's writing ability has improved dramatically since their last album as Automatic Reset has a beginning, middle and end. It's an intriguing song that instantly draws you into Watertank's world. Fans of Torche's Harmonicraft will find much to admire here. Though that doesn't mean the band plays it safe as they take risks through out the album and that makes the album such a thrilling experience.

Second track - Fever - sees Watertank embrace there Post-Hardcore roots with traces of noise adding extra grit and determination. It's a fast paced affair as Watertank even venture into Psychedelic sounds that you wouldn't expect. The lyrics and vocals have a natural flow to them as Watertank start to stamp their authority onto proceedings. Third track - Contrails - is one of the albums standout tracks as Watertank unleash some of the albums heaviest riffs with a delicious poppy stoner rock vibe. Shades of Torche and Floor may appear once again but it's still an excellent song to show you what Watertank can do. Merging heavy soundscapes with a more delicate post-rock style of sounds especially towards the end of the song where the song blissfully ends into the distance.

Fourth Track - DCVR - is another trippy Stoner/Post-Hardcore blast of infectious riffs and vocals to match. It's a very bass heavy affair with the bass guitar being the main instrument/weapon of choice to blast your hearing with. The second half of the album sees Watertank experiment with their sound by adding different noises and effects to give their sound a more rounded feel. Tracks such as Last/Lost Hope, Surrender and Doomed Drifters - should get the most jaded music fan humming along or even headbanging along to the action packed riffs as they come flying at you. Watertank have such a cool likeability factor that it's very hard not to be swept away by the albums almost positive outlook.

The album has a high amount of FUZZ on the 2nd half of the album. So if you dig things all loud and FUZZY then this album will be the one for you. Destination Unknown is a much better album than their debut album as it's a more thrilling and well rounded experience. Watertank have the potential to make a greater impression within the Stoner Rock/Metal community than their last album offered. Unknown Destination is a fantastic album that you should all check out. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Magnus at Creative Eclipse PR for the promo. Unknown Destination will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl through Solar Flare Records on June 29th 2015.

Words by Steve Howe

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