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Back To The Sea, Vol 2. Acts Of Digression|
It's always good when you come across an excellent new 'local' band when you least expect it. This
happened to us recently when we went to the Sheffield Corporation to see Sepultura. The main
support were Irish thrash nutters Gama Bomb but opening up were local Sheffield band Back To The
Sea, and they were something of a revelation. They play incredibly (and we mean INCREDIBLY) heavy
industrial doom laden metal with a considerable amount of style and an impressive stage presence, fronted
by dreadlocked vocalist Faru.
The usual 'one more pint' in the pub beforehand meant that we only caught the last couple of
songs of their set but this was enough to fire our interest and part with some cash for their
latest CD, Vol. 2 : Acts of Agression.
The CD opens with 'Retinal Decree', starting with a simple, slow, crushing riff which Faru growls
and snarls his way over, it's a massively atmospheric opening to a really very good release. Everything
is stripped down and kept simple which just adds to the impact of the track.
The second track, 'The S-Word' is less doom-ey, and has an almost progressive feel to it, with the
vocals again being used as part of the overall ambience as opposed to dominating everything else. It's
a winning mix.
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'Omni-Cage' continues in a similar vein before the band crack up the tempo a notch for 'Steel Veil',
but although the speed is increased the pounding heaviness is undiminished. It's a stonewall live
favourite I'm sure.
The CD closes with the 10 minute epic 'Cascade'. This seems, to us, to distill all the atmosphere
and vibe of the other tracks into something dark, brooding and heavy as fuck. Like any good prog
epic there is plenty of variation and texture within the track which means that it holds up very
well and doesn't get boring or repeat itself. Faru's vocals, Whim's understated guitar and the
crushing foundation laid down by drummer Bishop and bassist Kev make this our favorite on
the CD.
Back To The Sea are part of a resurgent music scene in the UK. Another example of a band who
play the music they like and who are not chasing down any trend, and they are all the stronger for
it.
If you like your metal 'raw', atmospheric and heavier than a Blue Whale's bollocks then you
could do much worse than check out Back To The Sea. Definitely one to watch.
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Words - Iain Hawkins
Pictures - Danny Gartside
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