Bands comprised of metal heads making post-punk. Not just metal heads, but members of American Black Metal bands. It did not make sense to me to write two seperate reviews of projects in such similar sonic space. There is no way I would have both albums in my iPod as first off I own all the albums by the Cure, Joy Division and well any goth band from the 80s that is worth a shit. If you are a reader here then you know darkness is my jam so lets look at our combatants
in the black trunks Deeper Graves - The debut from this project is titled "Final Divide" . This project is the solo effort of Jeff Wilson from Chrome Waves / Nachtmystium . He brought Bruce Lamont from Yakuza / Corrections House /Bloodiest to provide the vocals.
in the blacker trunks Executioner's Mask .The debut from this project is called "Despair Anthems" this project is more likea band , so more cooks in the kitchen, Jay Gambit from Crowhurt handled vocals , Ryan Wilson from Intestinal Disgorge on guitar , with Craig Mickle providing more guitar
the Deeper Graves album only has six songs, so we are putting it up against the first six songs from the Executioner's Mask.
track 1
Deeper Graves (DG) - "Final Divide"
The guitar is very Cure like. It allows the song to flow, the only problem is the vocals are a little pitchy, which is surprising from Bruce, but perhaps this more Danzig like croon, is a half step out of his range as he has gotten older ?
Executioner's Mask ( EM) - "The Defilers"
More stark, the vocals are not pitchy, but they are a more monotone narrative closer to say Ian Curtis. Musically it drones and is a little heavier sonically.
Deeper Graves takes this one for guitar melody
DG 1
EM -
Track 2
DG- "Leave this World"
More atmospheric. The guitar is strummed and synths hold the melody. The drums have more movement. The vocals drop back and are a whispered texture and spoken in some place.
EM- "No Funeral"
More like a single in the groove of the drums. This helps the vocals sit on it better. The vocals here are deeper than what Bruce is doing for Deeper Graves. The guitars on this song have more purpose than the previous track.
Executioner's Mask takes this one as it is just catchier song writing. even though the intent here is different than what Deeper Graves is going for.
DG- 1
EM- 1
Track- 3
DG- "Ode To War"
This reminds me more of Bellicose Minds. Not as much to the instrumentation rides of a more "Love Will Tear Us Apart" type throb. The vocals are much improved , kind of a Cult vibe, but not as rock n roll.
EM - "Bury Me a Grave"
Has a Samhain like pulse. Gambit is capable of more vocally. The vocals are all beginning to sound similar. Though I like how accents certain works , like "Fucked" . More swing to the groove.
Closer call, but "Ode to War" cashes in with the vocals and makes it hookier.
DG-2
EM-1
Track - 4
DG- "Open Arms"
They have a great guitar sound, the drums suffer as they are buried. It drifts heavy on atmosphere. It feel more like sound vs song . Post rocky shoe gaze drone that just drifts
EM- '1988"
I like the movement and the groove to this one. It's almost dancey but still very sonic. The vocals fits well.
DG -2
EM-2
Track 5
DG - "Last Transmission"
Aided here by female vocals. This gives them the edge. The bass line feels like "Pornography" era Cure. This check should sing for them all the time.
EM- "In the Night"
This is another tough call, which is impressive considering how much I liked that Deeper Graves song. The music here is pretty compelling, the vocals are where they lose the edge as they are one trick pony here and do not offer as much dynamics.
DG- 3
EM- 2
Track 6
DG - "In Memorium" More distinct lines are more fully drawn here in relation to how these two projects differ , with this one leaning more towards shoe gaze. With this also finds them falling towards creating a sound and less toward writing a song.
EM - "True Blue"
What I like about this song is the vocals improve just enough for me to feel ike he is trying to sing rather than just talk his way through the song. It is also dark as hell and the guitar is making some interesting harsh sonic choices.
DG- 3
EM- 3
We have a tie due to the fact Deeper Graves, drifted off into shoe gaze, so if you wnat something not as dark but more atmospheric then that is the album for you.
Bandcamp links below so you can judge yourself https://executionersmask.bandcamp.com/ https://deeper-graves.bandcamp.com/
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