lowheaven : "Ritual Decay"

 

The debut from this Canadian band opens with a swell of noisy ambiance, setting the stage for an explosion of screamo intensity against a stark, apocalyptic mood that bears more resemblance to Neurosis. Lighter-sung vocals provide a counterpoint that brings Glassjaw to mind, as they hover over the crushing, sludge-drenched stomp. This is broken up by moments of atmosphere before building to a scathing climax. "Chemical Pattern" is driven by a more frantic punk desperation. "Cancer Sleep" works off a more deliberate catharsis. The screamed vocals are used as a more effective accent here, as low-barked vocals that feel like a staple of sludge also surface. The wide array of vocal colors plays to this album's strengths. 

The pace picks up into a more urgent strum on "Nothing Else Frail," the vocals occupying a more hardcore-like place in the song. They ease things down from the higher energy tension to create a wider scope of dynamics for the song. "Amherst" employs sung vocals over a more haunting atmosphere that is sure to raise comparisons to Deftones. The explosive outburst in the song is more volatile than anything the nu-metal godfathers have done in recent years. "Mercy Death" carries more dissonance in its stomp, the vocals offering a more ambient texture to create an interesting sonic dynamic. Where the chorus would fall, there is a screamed outburst. 

"Fucking Hell" finds the two polarities they craft their sound with clashing more than blending, perhaps because the harsher tones are heavier and the more melodic vocals are mellower. To my ears, it doesn't sound as focused, but perhaps that's what they were going for, and by the fourth listen, it might fall into place. "Fighter Valley" benefits from a cool vocal melody that, while it's introspective, still creates a melodic backbone for them to toy with. It's darker than some of the heavier moments. It is my favorite song on this album. 

It would have amused me if the song called "Violence' had a ballad; instead, there are bizarre moments that remind me of Today is the Day, with a Myspace era emo chorus thrown in, though less anthemic. Interesting production choices that create a personality for the sound.  Like many of the songs in the album's third act, the last song took a few listens to process the chaotic catharsis that unfolds. Deliberate chord progressions create a downtrodden mood that anchors the song. I will give this album a 9.5, and see how it grows on me, think like that it's an emotionally dark landscape that paints a visceral picture in your ears. 

pst325