Review Summary: Unlike anything you've ever heard...
Going into this album blind was probably not the best of choices. I didn’t know whether to expect something sludge based or perhaps something a little folk metal sounding (a thought that only occurred because of the album art). What I got was more like a combination of the two, plus a big, helping spoonful of chaos.
The Body’s debut is sludge at heart, but it offers much more than the typical crushing rifts, slow tempos, and depressive nature associated with the genre. Not that this album doesn’t contain all of those things, but the maturity and experimentation found here is nothing short of impressive.
All the Waters of the Earth Turn to Blood leaves you wondering if December 12, 2012 is more than just some crazy Mayan hype.
First, I must say that the atmosphere that encompasses this album is truly terrifying. Distorted guitars, pounding drums, tortured screams, samples, a choir, and even some strange Aborigine influenced segments combine to keep the listener on the edge of their seat through its entirety. The album does have its “calm” sections, the first 7 mood-setting minutes of album opener
A Body, for instance. But, the majority of the tracks are mind numbingly heavy and intricate, with only one or two noticeably weaker tracks. I struggle to call them “weaker,” because the sound obtained in every song is phenomenal, but the approach they take is at times questionable.
Song of Sarin, The Brave stands out in particular as a completely unnecessary song. Featuring a cymbal heavy drum beat accompanied by a 3 minute long sample and a screeching out of tune guitar, it never really gets anywhere and is more a filler than anything else. I would have liked to see them try something faster to give the listener something different to listen too, rather than another eerie mood setter.
Standout songs include
Empty Hearth, which features a layered creepy native based vocal combined with some intense shrieks. Album closer
Lathspell I Name You is much straighter up sludge than the rest of the album and is much better because of it. Other than those two, the album is fairly mediocre.
All the Waters of the Earth Turn to Blood clocks in at almost 40 minutes, which could’ve been a little longer with a little more varied sound. For the most part, the album does exactly what it was made to do, which is to either scare the piss out of you or to cement that is THE album listen to after the ending of mankind.
The Body has crafted a successful debut with this release. I see only bright (or dark, depending on how you view it) things in their future if they continue to refine their unique sludge sound. For listeners of sludge or anybody that wants to experience a sound like they’ve never heard before.
All the Waters of the Earth Turn to Blood creates a post-apocalyptic vibe that will leave your teeth clenched and your mind thoughtful. My own words can’t suffice my thoughts on this album well enough, so I’ll leave it to the band, themselves.
“Death to everything.”
…Couldn’t have said it better.
Recommended Tracks:
Lathspell I Name You
Empty Hearth
A Body
