I’m feeling in a good mood today and this CD has been sat on my “TO REVIEW†pile for way too long. One look at the biog and the words, “I could only explain us as erratic, progressive hardcore math metal,†makes me wonder how much of this CD I will be able to take, but the letter was pleasant and polite and “Drowning the World†a 5 piece band from the Middlesex area seem to have their heads screwed on, so I gave it a whirl.
Some might suggest that in terms of “fashionable music†this group may not pick up any awards for musical talent, only for length of names and titles. In fact their band name and E.P name is nothing compared to some of the songs on the record, Track 7, “Everyone Has To Meet At Harrow Land Except Jay (Cos He’s Special)†must be a confusing one to announce on stage, but the fact is, it’s a bloody good song. In fact, all Drowning the World’s songs on this 8 track are good and worthy of some major recognition. Throwing together the influence of Dillinger Escape Plan as well as some of the bands they have played with like The Hurt Process and Days In December.
The E.P begins with an industrial sounding programmed intro. It only lasts a few seconds before intense screaming starts to over lay and contaminate the beats. This track may not actually be classed as a song, but in terms of showing how much thought the band have put into the record and also their versatility at working with different concepts and ideas, it is extremely impressive. Track 2, “Azezel†is an excellently crafted song, powerful guitar riffs and in the verses and a melodic chorus which is catchy and brings out the vocalists ability to not only scream his throat raw.
As the E.P moves on, the professionalism of Drowning the World becomes more and more dominant. This isn’t just an 8 track CD full of thrashy, trashy, “we’re screamo†nonsense. There are breakdowns of complex guitars, whispering, harmony and deep structures that mix everything up. Track 5 “Smoking with Revenge on the Band†contains some impressive rapping done in a good way as opposed to those incredibly annoying pop sensations, The Streets.
I think what I like mostly about this CD, is firstly its mixture of styles and the bands ability to throw their hand to lots of different ideas, showing thought and preparation. Secondly, the production of the CD is impeccable, and is defiantly one of the important factors that do this band justice. And lastly, I haven’t heard a CD as original as this in a while. This band certainly deserve some attention within the British music scene, and I would advise anyone with an interest of progressive hardcore metal to check out these boys.
www.drowningtheworldinrequiem.com
Pete