Here we go again, encountering Drift Into Black with an album named Voices Beneath the Rubble, a band that seems to defy labels the more you delve into their music. Initially, one might attempt to pigeonhole them into genres like Doom, Goth, or MeloDeath, but the deeper you listen, the less it conforms to such categorizations. Voices Beneath the Rubble, a name as dark as it is intriguing, promises uniqueness while hinting at accessibility, even for newcomers to its sound. But does it truly achieve this elusive balance? The answer awaits a click.
Voices Beneath the Rubble doesn’t assail you with the crushing weight typical of Death/Doom albums. Instead, it opts for a more melancholic and emotionally engaging approach, eschewing excessive brutality. Personally, I find this approach refreshing. While it may not bolster your sense of toughness (because let’s face it, vulnerability has its allure), it serves a digestible sadness, akin to the resolve rising from the depths of despair. It’s the embodiment of resilience, the narrative of “Life has dealt its blow, but I persist.” And what’s with the trend of bands infusing hints of Folk or Middle Eastern influences lately? While Voices Beneath the Rubble isn’t a Folk Metal album per se, it subtly incorporates elements that evoke such imagery.
The album’s currents aren’t overly complex, yet there’s sufficient variation to sustain engagement. And for those who disdain the lethargy of slow Doom, fear not; this album maintains a steady mid-tempo pace that should appeal to a wide spectrum of Metalheads within the Metalsphere. Additionally, it’s intriguing how Drift Into Black, despite its roots in extreme Metal, opts for the dramatic, operatic vocals more commonly associated with bands like Candlemass.
However, there are aspects that leave me in the dark. The production feels somewhat muddy, and perhaps a crisper mix would allow the guitar riffs and keyboards to blend more seamlessly. While this might be a deliberate choice by the band to evoke authenticity, I’m not entirely convinced it’s a direction worth fully embracing. Furthermore, due to the muddiness, the vocals come across as weaker than they truly are. Rossi possesses a gentle voice reminiscent of bands like Pallbearer rather than Swallow The Sun, and it would benefit from a mix that allows his nuances to shine more clearly.
Nevertheless, I still believe Voices Beneath the Rubble holds appeal for both new and seasoned Doom fans alike. It offers accessibility and a departure from the typical heavy fare, providing a more relaxing yet engaging experience. For those weary of the two-notes-per-minute approach prevalent in some corners of the genre, Drift Into Black presents a refreshing deviation from the norm. It may not cater to the purists’ desire for unrelenting heaviness, but its uniqueness is a commendation in itself.
Label: Black Lion Records
Release date: June 28, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/driftintoblack
Country: USA (NEW JERSEY!!!)
Score: sad riffs that actually hurt, so 3.0/5.0? Who cares about scores?
Metal Eclipse Reviews 