Tombs "The Grand Annihilation" (2017)

To write this post I had to remind myself why I was following this band. I think my interest In this sort of Metal is slowly wavering but after an initial disappointment, a more few spins gave me a clearer image as the music came to my mind. I was quite impressed by the Brooklyn bands 2014 release Savage Gold, listening to it again reminded me that Tombs are a very temperate, measured band that seek atmosphere in the pacing and patience of their music, a Post-Black Metal venture with shades of Death Metal casting a spell of unforgiving doom without any cheep thrills.

At forty eight minutes its quite the grind, a bleak, monotonous grind of unearthly rumblings in the mist. Tremolo shredded notes pluck and propel us forth into the baron wastelands as icy lead guitar licks breath some life into the desolate setting. Intensified by bursts of blast beats and interchanging dissonant chords, the occasional Thrash Metal intersection makes itself known as the songs cruise through a construction of riffs that sway the tone and direction with craft and intention. These songs are well constructed, without straying to the grandiose or loosing its sense of burden, Tombs hold together a consistently heavy, gloomy tone that creeps in subtle climactic moments with guitar shifts leading to sorrowful yet elegant solos. The deep bellowing vocals of Mike Hill adds to the damning atmosphere, there dominance over shrill screams much more preferable and fitting.

There's a lot to praise on this record, its obvious these are talented musicians with a good ear for song structure. The production is sturdy, crisp and clear instruments with enough mud in the tones to bring about the bleak atmosphere the band conjure. There is little to fault but my enjoyment is saturated. When its playing it makes for good company but in its absence it barely crosses my mind. As I said before I think its just my taste in this style that is fading. Nothing wows or feels unheard, unexpected, its all become a bit of a routine journey into a familiar shade of darkness.

Rating: 5/10

Tombs "All Empires Fall" (2016)

New York based experimental Metal outfit Tombs are back in 2016 with a short twenty-three minute EP. Impressed by their last fall length I picked this one up and at first failed to recognize the band I had heard before. What was interesting about "Savage Gold" was a seemingly normal Metal approach yielding an uncanny nuance that defied understanding on inspection. It had its way of feeling different and after many listens to "All Empires Fall" I think we are hearing the subtleties being ripped apart in different directions. The opening track throws together an atypical Thrash Metal groove that I could swear I've heard many times before. Its then overlapped with a dark Post-Metal guitar lead, tremolo picking itself through an epic reverb. In then comes crashing into a spacious synth laden slow down, building up the anticipation of the first full track.

"Obsidian" is that song, and it dispels the atmosphere with its hard and gritty Black Metal grind, pummeling through shifting, alternating blasts and evil riffage. The vocals crash in with a harsh penetrating tone that feels shrill and piercing, as if peaking the volume. Its not particularly enjoyable but the ears adjust as the song draws on. In this song the band slice in thrashier grooving riffs that highlight the aforementioned directions, where subtlety once guided the chemistry there is now a noticeable shift, however its not a negative aspect of the song, more of an observation in change.

"Deciever" is considerably more along the lines of what I expected with Thrash grooves slowed down into a temperate environment, lighter growls and accenting lead guitars craft a big mood in a steady setting, gradually elevating with increasing lead guitar focus. "V" finds a balance between the two styles and progresses its way through a rather epic passage of riffs.

I didn't feel much cohesion on this record, the last two songs made more sense together than the others however my favorite track was the non Metal track "Last Days Of Sunlight" for its brooding atmosphere and sense of impending dread. A great listen with good songs but it didn't flow well or amount to something grander than the sum of its parts.

Favorite Songs: Last Days Of Sunlight, Deceiver

Rating: 4/10

Tombs "Savage Gold" (2014)

Tombs are an American four piece band from Brooklyn, New York. "Savage Gold" is their fourth full length release, and beyond that there is little I can say about this group. I had not heard of them before noticing this album cover, which caught my attention and so I picked up a copy. Hailed as an "experimental metal" group I was slightly bemused as to what exactly was experimental, this was one of the most straightforward and gratifying Metal records I've heard in recent memory, yet it has to be said for everything that feels "normal" about their approach to writing music, the end result certainly has a unique flavor to it that I struggle to pinpoint its origin.

From the moment this album kicks off, it offers up a familiar formula of sound most common with early Black Metal. Crisp mechanical drumming hammers out blast beats and shuffling fills in between commonplace Metal rhythms as dense tonal guitars tremolo pick slow, snaky scale progressions. Mike Hill's gruff, narrow shouts snarl and scream with the blackened music. Melodic inflections character these songs in the moments the lead guitar breaks into a cleaner sound, but for the most part they follow a typically singular, simplistic approach, climbing up and down scales with an evil, haunting vibe, utilizing tremolo picking, power chords and the occasional dischord. The group don't stray far from this sound, the tracks like "Deathtripper" and "Severed Lives" bring the pace down, and atmosphere up as Hill draws out whispering screams over menacing guitar leads.

The album has a patient flow to it, despite its blasting drums the pace is steady and many riffs and moments are drawn out, not in a hurry to leave the place they create. Its an unusual listen. To break it down there is nothing unique or special, yet as its own art it offers something subtly distinct, despite its familiarities. Its the kind of record that doesn't blow you away with any moments, but creeps up on you as it slowly wraps its tentacles around you, sucking you in. Equally so I didn't find these songs to stick in my mind, yet they are a pleasure to listen to. I think these are all signs of great musicianship that is focused on the consistency and subtleties, more so than an upfront, in your face attitude. And on a final note, the kit sounds gorgeous, the snare has texture, the kicks rattle deep and the toms are given treatment too, one of the best sounding kits I've heard in a while.

Favorite Songs: Seance, Deathtripper, Edge Of Darkness, Severed Lives

Rating: 7/10