Sunday, March 20, 2011

Deafheaven - 2011 Roads to Judah


Band : Deafheaven
Album : Roads to Judah
Release Year : 2011
Genre : Atmospheric / Black Metal / Experimental

Tracklist :
01. Violet
02. Language Games
03. Unrequited
04. Tunnel Of Trees
 
Based out of San Francisco, CA, deafheaven started as a isolated project between frontman George LeSage and guitarist Kerry M. After sending the demo to various blogs and receiving overwhelmingly positive reception, they accepted offers to play live shows and added members of Whirl and Temple of Saturn to form the quintet that today tours as deafheaven.
 
From the opening drone of the album it's as if we are are peering through a dream into the private world that is Deafheaven's "Roads to Judah". Layers and layers of instrumentation build, tangle and swirl before the real onslaught begins. A ferocious drum fill then thrusts us from the serene into a free fall, as if the ground below suddenly gave way. From there we plummet through one awe inducing sonic fog into the next, blurring the traditional lines of song. Hyper blasts of speed rage and pulse while lush guitars bellow, roar and whine with unorthodox melody. And just as we feel we've departed from reality from the aural overload, tortured vocals cry out from afar. Serving as a stark reminder that there is something very human about "Roads to Judah" and Deafheaven themselves.


Though the title could suggest something otherworldly, the "Judah" referenced is in fact the "N Judah" train, the busiest line of the San Francisco transit system. A relatable landmark to compliment the haunting ambiguity that surrounds Deafheaven and the music that they collectively create. On it, much of the lyrical writing and personal reflection for this album took place.
With that said, "Roads to Judah" isn't Heavy Metal role play, but a beautifully blackened artistic exploration of the issues and self loathing that can cloud every day life. A stunning a achievement emotionally and musically that will surely shape aggressive music for years to come.


GET IT!



No comments:

Post a Comment