Warning - New album!

[Eoin McLove]

CD ordered. They never were a visually captivating band, or rather, they were never a band that "put on a show". They were, and it seems they still are, a band who just revel in the music. Imagine listening to them play Footprints while doing a Dillinger Escape Plan on stage  it would make for a funny meme if nothing else.

[Grim Reality]

I've only listened to the new album on Spotify a few times. Less than 5 times. I was hotly anticipating it but none of those listens have done anything for me. Quite incredible really seeing as WFAD is one of my favourite albums of all time. The vocals are annoying. There's no doom. Watching somehow worked despite being very un-metal in its fragility and weakness. Incredible album. Maybe I should buy the new one and give it proper time. I'm not a fan of the introspective misery at all though. 

[Eoin McLove]

Yeah, it's very much a continuation of 40 Watt Sun, but with more distortion. I really like Walker's song writing so I'm happy enough, even though I partially agree that a return to something closer to doom metal would have been welcome.

[Eoin McLove]

The CD arrived so I had it on in the car just now. I think it's really good. One or two vocal melody choices still jar a bit, but maybe I'll get used to them over time. It's interesting to note Walker's dislike of the drum production on Watching From A Distance because I think it's the one thing that's missing from Rituals of Shame. The ridiculously reverbed kit that took up 30-40% of the soundscape on Watching... was unique, and added to the might, the grandeur and in the more minimal moments it even added to the desolation on that album. The drums on Rituals of Shame are well produced, but inoffensive. You forget the drums are even there most of the time. When you focus on what's being played you can hear the drummer is calling back to moments on Watching... and trying to conjure the same kind of atmosphere, but without the dominating production the impact isn't the same.