By: Eric Crowe
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: TBC
Label: Independent
Gravelly harsh vocals collide with discordant riffs that get glued
inside your mind very quickly and the off centre type riffs remind me of what
Hydra Head Records used to do. The
weight of this album is intense and at times an immeasurable force that can be
uplifting and downtrodden at the same time, which is great to hear in
songwriting these days. Things are stirring in the South, that’s for sure, and
I know for a fact it has more to offer than just NOLA. Keep listening, keep
looking. Capsized is one that’s moving and gaining momentum!
“Overwhelming
The Circles” CD//DD track listing:
1. Maelstrom
2. Landfall’s Light
3. Sirens
4. Tidal
The Review:
The Birmingham, AL music scene was
strong in the late 90’s and early 00’s, and somehow settled down into a quiet
void. That has changed significantly as of late with the resurgence of members
of yesteryear starting up new projects, and a whole new crop of bands. Capsized is one of those bands that are starting to turn a lot of heads and
gain momentum, and raise the flag for the state, that they aren’t dead yet. Capsized is fronted by old Molehill drummer, Billy
Luttrell, I only make the reference, because I was a fan and short time member
of the band. Indeed he doesn’t and won’t ride on the coattails of past bands,
instead pushing forward into a new day with Capsized and hopefully creating something greater and a definite force to
be reckoned with.
“Maelstrom” starts off with a Blue Velvet sample, setting the
perfect tone for the rest of this monumental release. Gravelly harsh vocals
collide with discordant riffs that get glued inside your mind very quickly and
the off centre type riffs remind me of what Hydra Head Records used to do, and perhaps should have ventured more towards, but
this band is a beast, and better than that. Walls of tone and force, coupled
with heavy hitting, and precise drumming really get a lot of energy flowing.
Every element and effect used is incorporated perfectly, bringing a marriage of
the best sludge / metal moments of Isis
and Old Man Gloom x100.
The tempo is pretty constant with a continual drive, a very fuck yeah kind of
song.
“Landfall’s Light” hits
with build and a tension, coupled with an underlying urgency that breaks before 1:30 into
the track. Vocals are very fitting, throaty yet melodic, which add to the depth
of the music, this also helps carry you into this violent voyage of methodical
chaos. The tribal-like drums keep a heavy yet simple background along with the
bass seamlessly following, creating such a wonderful tension and release, ebb
and flow throughout. The pace slows adding so much weight, but only for a
moment, just enough to catch your breath before another pummelling.
“Sirens” is probably my favorite
track because of the depth and the emotion it creates throughout the song. Despite
the sombreness of the riff, this does not reduce the heaviness what so ever.
Throaty sung vocals capture pain and embrace the deep burdens within, with
unbelievable ease. The synth parts really come through on this one, adding a
deeper level. The walls build, and come tumbling down beautifully, and leave
the listener barren and exposed. The ending repetition is necessary, wrapped in
chaos and precision, which a lot of bands can never effectively pull off. The
weight of this track is intense and at times an immeasurable force that can be
uplifting and downtrodden at the same time, which is great to hear in
songwriting these days. Something you see in calibre bands like Neurosis and Yob!
“Tidal” begins with a spoken
sample about parasites, with underlying effects and texture, the track is
sharply mixed with the opening riff and very roomy sounding drums bursting
through in a very slow drive. A simple riff can be so heavy sometimes. The
progression of this song is great. Building off the simplicity of drum and riff
and morphing into strong guitar textures and harmonies. All the while darting
in and out of full force drives, to heavy melodic and discordant riffs.
“Overwhelming The Circles” is an
amazing album, from start to finish. There are so many elements in this album
that are tightly woven together and it is an album that has been hard not to
listen too. It has been my go to for 2 or 3 weeks now. Things are stirring in
the South, that’s for sure, and I know for a fact it has more to offer than
just NOLA. Keep listening, keep looking. Capsized is one that’s moving and gaining momentum!
