Review Summary: Human metal
Its hard for me to say that I have loved metal. Growing up where I did and holding the friends I have Metal has never been a popular or common music in and around my life. But I have always had a tender spot in my heart for big riffs, crushing drums and an expression of ferocity and passion that only metal seems to be able to release. The crushing sonic outlet that never gives up.
So perhaps it’s this 12 track sludge fest that has really made me comfortable in the home of metal. Its heavy when it should be but knows how to rest when the heart needs it. The production is exceptionally clear allowing solos, riffs, acoustic passages and even bass to spring out without being swamped by metals uncompromising wall of distortion. Vocals are powerful but still human and coherent. Occasional acoustic tracks or slowed down interludes are used fittingly to connect the spaces between tracks keeping the whole record cohesive and tight and a pleasure to roll again and again.
But it’s the pervasive sense of groove that truly keeps me glued to baroness’s second full length. The riffs are huge slick and well backed by clearly audible bass(that rocks in its own path); hugely fuzzed guitar licks give and keep the country-rock backed sludge vibe alive and present. The drummer is a monster and at many points pounds out almost a almost dancy feel(great work on the high-hat cap!), constantly active, pounding, fierce, but never overpowering, just complementing and rooting the bands melody. Everyone just does such a damn good job.
Its metal that grooves, thunders, but also takes time to be beautiful, even sleepy. It’s no shredfest, it’s just incredible music by musicians, music as music should be.
