Review Summary: Brutal post metal / prog for the soul!
Grafting the Vine returns with a new compelling release, Creator Part One.
The whole project is an emotional outlet for the musician, who has experienced troubled childhood living with his father, suffering from substance abuse and mental disorders which resulted in suicide. Creator Part One became a kind of redemption record, a message to everyone going through the same painful process - to keep holding on, seek help and don't give up.
The music itself is intense sentimental metal and the background adds up greatly to the emotional value of the album. It is completely instrumental, but so melodic that vocals are not needed at all and feels complete as is. Somewhere between Isis, Pelican and Mastodon, Grafting the Vine produces dark crushing music with unexpectedly fast-paced fragments. The presence of keyboards also puts an eerie twist on.
From the very beginning Red Deers demolishing main riff gives the taste of what is about to come, showcasing the albums best parts - production quality, vivid storytelling through instrumentals (!) and intense rhythm section. The next songs emit Woods of Ypres vibe and from the beginning of the fifth track (Storm Rider) album slightly changes its direction becoming less fast and emphasising more on the tempos contrast. The closing tracks descend deeper into madness and build up the suspense that eventually explodes in the ending part of Substratum.
7 tracks combine to create a twisted tale that also serves as therapy not just for the author, but the listener too. You can feel the emotions behind the material are very true - and it earns instant respect.
Creator Part One is hell of a journey and so is life. Grafting the Vine is here to remind us about that.
