Come Sleep
The Burden of Ballast
Version Studio (2007)
That old saying attests that "you only get what you give." Nowhere does this apply better than heavy metal. The genre can somehow simultaneously be an embarrassing parody of itself and push musical boundaries to new creative planes. The resurgence of "thinking man's metal" came with an increased presence of amplifiers, New York Times profiles, and expensive LPs. It's safe to say bands like Sunn0))), Isis, and Pelican are solidifying their presence as some of the fore founders of the trend. Say what you will about these bands, I think they're really adding some credibility to the genre, sometimes seemingly inevitably associated with the juvenile. Come Sleep, based in Stockholm, offer a promising album worth of the kind of hypnotic, melodic, tectonic metal that has become increasingly popular over the last few years. The Burden of Ballast is nine tracks long and each cut safely dwells in the six to eight minute territory. These shouldn't be off-putting numbers if you're a purveyor of the niche this band occupies, though. Come Sleep does a good job making sure they sound varied, they aren't afraid to palm mute or play loud if they want to. Similarly, the band has some of the … Read more
Skeletons with Flesh on Them
The Fish Don't Mind
Independent (2007)
Some bands just have cool names. Skeletons with Flesh on Them, an indie rock band from Seattle, are one of … Read more
Fight Pretty
Rewiring the Human Body
Dwell (2007)
How do you review an album plastered with a tagline from a review you wrote? We're both about to find … Read more
Fire on Fire
Five Song EP
Young God (2007)
I have never been to Maine, but the visual in my head is that the state is a quite tranquil … Read more
