Chicago-based Chrome Waves brings together members of various Black Metal bands from the thriving underground US scene, with guitarist Jeff Wilson (Abigail Williams) taking over as the driving force in the band, which has undergone significant change since its inception in 2010 following the unexpected passing of drummer Bob Fouts (Gates Of Slumber), and the departing of The Atlas Moth guitarist Stavros Giannopoulos.
In their place Jeff has brought in James Benson (Amiensus) on guitar and vocals, Nachtmystium bassist Zion Meagher, and drummer Gary Naples (Novembers Doom / Wolvhammer, Without Waves) to create Earth Will Shed Its Skin (M-Theory Audio), the band’s fifth LP. And the quartet have crafted a brooding dystopic soundtrack, which touches on many forms of the Blackened art across six tracks, which each bring something a little different to the table.
‘Forward’ delivers a sci-fi-sounding synth overture with softly building guitars, before dropping in with powerfully emotive vocals, all delivered at a measured pace and with an uplifting quality to the music, which is counterbalanced by the harshly delivered lyrics. ‘Under The Weight Of A Billion Souls’ is served at a similar tempo, first creating the feel of a desolate industrial landscape with an intro that gives way to a track built around a rolling bassline and sweeping guitars, introducing a cleaner vocal style in the chorus. The track journeys through to a section which manages to be both menacing and melodic, with soft yet venomous sounding vocals, before playing out with a piercing guitar lead.
‘The Long Rope’ drops straight into a faster slice of black metal with pulsating kick drums and a production feel that veers towards the lo-fi in the instrumentation, with Chrome Waves again using atmospheric soundscapes to help create their desired mood. They also introduce a saxophone, which is then used more prominently as the album progresses into more of an avant-garde post-black direction.
The band completely strips themselves back on ‘What Desperate Looks Like’, as a softly strummed guitar riff plays over a droning synth and with Benson crooning in a soft clean singing style throughout. Before taking a distinctly more shoegaze direction on ‘The Nail’, which meanders with a kind of Spaghetti Western feel created by the bass, and a chorus that sounds a little something like Ghost. Before a drop in key and a squealing saxophone signifies a change, as the song plays out in a glorious blackgaze style.
Earth Will Shed Its Skin ends with ‘Broken’, continuing in the softer vein with strings and acoustic strumming, but with contrasting guttural vocals which provide a deeply mesmerising contrast, before riding out with a finale of sweeping blackgaze, and with the saxophone once again adding a unique depth to their sound.
Buy the album here:
https://chromewaves.bandcamp.com/album/earth-will-shed-its-skin
7 / 10
ABSTRAKT_SOUL_