Date Released: 24/06/2016
Label: Napalm Records
“Hallowed”
is well represented with monolithic riffs, multi layered vocal arrangements and
in standout track “Monolith” it delivers one of the heaviest moments within the
course of the album. To me it appears as if the band had held back on us up
until this point, because they have unleashed a truly astonishing album, which pummels
and pounds you with a thick narcotic groove.
This album is sonic alchemy of all their best elements, making this
album a great listen and one to be admired.
“Hallowed”
CD//DD track listing :
1.Reduced
to Ashes (04:11)
2.Hollowed
(04:26)
3.Valley of Thorns
4.Conjured
(03:25)
5.Monolith
(04:04)
6.In
Fire's Light (04:13)
7.In
the Arms of Medusa (03:14)
8.Castle of Sorrow
9.Safeguard
of Death (04:38)
10.Red
Leaves (04:26)
11.The
Edge of Time (07:09)
12.Blood
Candy (Bonus on Limited edition) (03:08)
13.The
Edge of Time (Bonus on Limited edition) (04:11)
14.Hollowed
(Bonus on Limited edition) (03:33)
The Review:
The
almighty vessel that is Earth Ship (or Earthship, depending on who you
ask) set sail back in 2011 from the Grey City of Berlin, DE, with their debut
album “Exit Eden” (Pelagic Records,
2011). The aforementioned LP set the model
of sound they were striving to achieve, that which became evident when they
literally dropped the bulky “Iron Chest”
(Pelagic
Records, 2013) followed by hasty riff-seared “Withered” (Pelagic Records,
2014).
This
new entry in their proverbial log marks the departure from Germany ’s Pelagic Records, wayfaring to Austria
A
progressive tide hits the keel on the title track, and we get a glimpse into
the Oberg’s (Sabine & Jan) multi layered vocal arrangements that leads into
a pounding breakdown bringing Earth Ship about. Coming at you like a knockdown wave in the
middle of a thunderstorm comes “Valley
Of Thorns” the albums 1st single, rolling with the fury of a
hundred oars, guided by Florian Häuser’s pulsating beats, which then give way
to a blinding solo to finish it all off. Sabine then steers the tempo on “Conjured”, which reminds us of early
90s Seattle
Opening
the second leg of the expedition, “In
Fire’s Light” sees the band harken back to their sludge foundation, pummelling
and pounding through a thick narcotic groove with some math rock hooks,
supplemented by melodic dual humming which compliment Janus’s harsh vocal work
expertly. Kicking things up a notch, the tempo for “In The Arms Of Medusa” arrives like a Gorgon army ready to smash
your teeth in, and do pay attention to the commanding ride cymbal accents on
this one, some fine wrist work on display.
Don’t
be fooled by “Castle Of Sorrow
Keeping
up with that sound I alluded to before, they plunge further into the heavy tone
while holding the clean singing routine on “Red Leaves”, another standout track on its own. As we near shore,
we see the band reach “The End Of Time”,
well represented by its monolithic opening riff. It’s stupid to judge this, but
to me it appears as if the band had held back on us up until this point, where
they unleash a truly astonishing anthem. Sonic alchemy of all the elements that
make this album a great listen can be admired here. A truly sombre (not in a
bad way) and majestic way for Earth Ship to meld with the sunset.
If
you happen to get the Limited Edition of this release, you get “Blood Candy”, an interesting
sludge/post metal instrumental one off that reminds me of the “Withered” days, as well as acoustic
versions of “Hollowed” and “The End Of Time” which present a
different shade to the bands traditional sound, well worth acquiring if
available.
“Hollowed” is available here
