The Pitch: New Zealand/Poland progressive death metal duo From The Thicket drops their groove-ridden and atmospheric new album. FFO: Meshuggah, Omega Diatribe, Dark Waters End
What I Like: Listening to From The Thicket is like floating in a viscous black ooze of djenty, Meshuggah-eque grooves and post-metal atmosphere. I can almost picture the music video now: pale, naked bodies writhing in a sea of oil; the frame rate speeding up and slowing down The 300 style in time with the shifting drum patterns. It's got a simple-yet-mathy edge to it with the detuned guitars and sporadic rhythms commanding a contorted interpretive dance of darkness. It's truly impressive how immersive an experience The Black Sea Of Trees delivers on; one that is further deepend by additional layers of eerie Deathspell Omega-y guitars and densely suffocating production. Lyrical themes touch on narcisscism, neglect, control, and man's propensity for selfishness and harm. One need not read the liner notes to figure that out. Even the instrumental closing tracks convey these ideas just fine without words.
Critiques: The vocals could use a little work. The high screams are kind of... squelchy? Not sure if it's the production, the delivery, or a bit of both; but it's been my main point of contention. I also feel that while the songs are good, they aren't super memorable.
The Verdict: Another excellent underground artist worthy of adding to your repertoire. From The Thicket are showing rapid growth from songwriting and performance to overall presentation and production, and it deserves recognition. Get The Black Sea Of Trees this weekend and let us know what you think... that is if it doesn't swallow you up entirely.
Flight's Fav's: The Narcissist's Famined Ego, Wendigo, God's Word Is Man's Word
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
SUBSCRIBE to our Trench Talk Podcast on iTunes, Castbox, YouTube, and BitChute. You can also like and follow us on the social media of your choice with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and support us on Patreon.