Crank this to 8.2 of 11
Released: 2017
Genre: Progressive rock, Post rock
Sounds Like: Ozric Tentacles, Animals As Leaders
2017 has been somewhat of a lackluster year for strong instrumental albums. Our yearning to find the next Mother Engine has been falling a bit flat. Our sentiments perked up a bit after encountering Among the Sleep and their new EP entitledcasket. Instrumental speed metal as we like to call or Post-rock vaporwave as goes the newer coined genre. The album is very crisp in clarity and man can these folks from Japan play with speed and precision. What we enjoy most about the album is that it is punchy and not exhaustive. All too often we see bands in this genre beat songs to death and it can tire the ear quite easily. Among the Sleep have delivered a very entertaining and concise piece that is a welcomed addition to our heavy rotation of instrumental albums.
Track Listing:
1. Cloudbuilt (3:19)
2. Ghost (3:58)
3. Dream (4:59)
4. casket (3:04)
5. April (2:26)
What is the standout track on Casket?
The closing track "April" (although the shortest) is filled with tremendous fretwork. The track is extremely entertaining with very intricate melodies essentially taking you through a complex maze of sound. Each listen illicits new images and sounds making for quite an experience and by far the standout track.
What is the strangest aspect of the album?
"Dream" delivers tremendous contrast and some of the most innovative melodies that evoke thoughts of lullabies and peacefulness. Pair that with an infusion of heavy riffs and you have one hell of an entertaining track. We know the combination sounds odd but it works and is a nice tangent from the more progressive post metal guitar-work. The track has a soundtrack feel and drips of electronica that fits well.
What adult beverage would we pair with Casket?
The Smash (cocktail)
Ingredients:
7 mint leaves
½ lemon
1 teaspoon of syrup
¼ cup of your finest Japanese whisky
crushed Ice
This is a wonderfully refreshing recipe. Start by mashing (and we mean really mashing) 7 fresh mint leaves, half a lemon, and 1 teaspoon of syrup in a 16 oz. glass or cocktail mixer. Mix it well, then add ¼ cup of your finest Japanese whisky. Nikka is often used. Pour it in a glass, add crushed ice, stir, and then add a little more crushed ice. Add mint sprigs to finish.
Final thoughts:
We appreciate the speed and clarity at which Among the Sleep plays. Casket is the perfect length to keep its listeners engaged. The vaporware characteristics due not dominate and any cut-ups or hi-tech production appears seamless. This has led us to explore more within the Japanese progressive rock arena. We recommend you grab this one off BandCamp and keep in your heavy rotation. It has been a welcomed addition to our family of heavy
Follow Among The Sleep: Bandcamp
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