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40 Watt Sun
Wider than the Sky


5.0
classic

Review

by DarkNoctus USER (48 Reviews)
March 14th, 2017 | 110 replies


Release Date: 2016 | Tracklist


"And a darkness undresses me of everything."

As a follower of Patrick's work over the last decade or so, without wanting to draw too many comparisons to past work, I can't help but feel this line truly encapsulates the emotions that Patrick so accurately evokes; now moreso than ever. There's a real vulnerability to Wider than the Sky; A closeness, an intimacy. So far apart from the man that had a part in Watching from a Distance, respective to the album name, which felt so distant and closed away. Even The Inside Room sounds transitional in comparison. Indeed, Patrick's form of "doom metal" has been stripped completely to its core elements, and in doing so, become its own entity that encapsulates a much clearer vision into the artist who wrote it than anything else as he released to date.

It's easy to see on a surface level that 40 Watt Sun took many of the key elements of Warning; the soaring vocal melodies, the slow moving guitar melodies (not really riffs), the arguably simple structures... When put on paper, not much has changed. If anything, Wider than the Sky is testament to just how much a focus shift can change the very chemistry of sound. Make absolutely no mistake - this is not a doom metal album. The guitars here are far cleaner with only a slight haze of fuzzy overdrive, and the melodies are almost all primarily in Patrick's vocals, the instrumentation (though intricate if you look closely) simply intended as a backdrop to the subject matter and mood. If you're afraid of this change, you likely aren't the intended audience. If you enjoy Patrick's vocal work and melodies, you will find something to like in this album. Absolutely no doubt about that.

Wider than the Sky, oddly, sounds like the full realisation of the music that Patrick has wanted to make for years. When you look closer at the progression between Patrick's past works, and the way Patrick focused more on acoustic remakes of past works both live and as b-sides, I'm also surprised he didn't make this change sooner. From meeting that expectation, Wider than the Sky feels so much more honest. There's a serious challenge involved with objectively reviewing something that seems so stripped bare of facade; so naked and upfront, whilst simultaneously being enshrouded in an enigmatic haze. Behind Patrick's gorgeous vocals with his evocatious melodies, there's a far deeper emotional pool be draws from, far beyond what you could discern from face value.

With much more robust song structures, Wider than the Sky feels less sequential and moves much more freely between movements. Patrick's compositions have always had a tendency to revel in a singular vibe for each song's runtime, but the far more natural mood shifts mean you seldom know where any given track might take you. The sparser, airier sound palette also gives Patrick a lot more space to work with when it comes to letting these songs wander through differentiating sections. The gradual shifts in 'Stages' is quite the emotional journey, subduing the listener into a pensive state. Even the subtle building in tracks like 'Craven Road' and 'Another Room' seem far more noticeable in this album's context. In turn, there's a real vastness to this record that neither Warning's Watching from a Distance or 40 Watt Sun's debut, The Inside Room, couldn't quite reach. The band really go lengths to earn the album's namesake.

If this album suffers at all, it's in the lack of brevity. The album approaches overlong at points, emphasised by some vocal melodies sounding a touch too similar (half way through 'Stages' and near the beginning of 'Craven Road'), and the fact the album is less sonically... let's say, 'upfront', may alienate the doom metal following that Warning managed to muster. Both of which aren't as huge of an issue as you might think, as the engrossing nature of music like this is very effective and making you lose your sense of time.

There's something so alluring about hearing Patrick indulge in his own introspection, especially when coupled with two immensely talented musicians who bring it to life. It's music like this that make scores seem so arbitrary, especially given that Wider than the Sky truly is an experience I whole-heartedly believe anyone could take something from. 40 Watt Sun's reluctance to indulge in interviews and press makes so much more sense after listening to an album such as this; a pure form of personal expression. Putting a score on that seems so disingenuous. But in the interest of adhering to the platform, take my score as a testament to just how easily I found myself lost in this album. Listen to this.

(originally written for metal-archives)



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user ratings (136)
3.8
excellent
other reviews of this album
thurs (3.5)
An unrelentingly dreary, sparse display of properly exercised minimalism...



Comments:Add a Comment 
DarkNoctus
March 14th 2017


12357 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

originally wrote this on metal archives, was expecting someone else would review this, felt it deserved a review here. it'll be my last review on the site most likely.



getting ready for the negs. constructive criticism welcome as always.



if you're unsure as to whether to get this i recommend spinning this track first: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvvL2ylNSuk

Maco097
March 14th 2017


3343 Comments


No need to worry about the negs cuz I won't read it!

Dis best album of 2016 btw.

DarkNoctus
March 14th 2017


12357 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

second for me, but it's definitely close. beautiful record.

Archelirion
March 14th 2017


6594 Comments


it'll be my last review on this site most likely.

salutes

That last paragraph was great. I loved The Inside Room so I need to make some time for this at some point.

zaruyache
March 14th 2017


27754 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

it'll be my last review on the site most likely.





;_; ;_; ;_; ;_; ;_;

MoosechriS
March 14th 2017


6353 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Massive pos dude, probably my favourite album of last year. Album is all kinds of amazing.

Troggy
March 14th 2017


15 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

pos



now review trees of eternity :]

Orb
March 14th 2017


9493 Comments


If i listen to this ill probably have to update my aoty list lol awesome review

DarkNoctus
March 14th 2017


12357 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

now review trees of eternity :]




i won't be writing any more reviews



thanks for the feedback, guys! happy to see the enthusiasm for this record

Archelirion
March 14th 2017


6594 Comments


I could probably like this more than Watching From A Distance given a bit of time
Another Room is incredible

bnelso55
March 14th 2017


1450 Comments


Really really liking all I've heard from this record so far and I'm excited to listen to the rest. Great review too, Noctus. Sorry to see you go. Can we still expect Ethereal Shroud news to appear around here?

DarkNoctus
March 14th 2017


12357 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

i will still be around, i just won't be posting reviews. rest assured i'll be sticking around to share music updates. [:

bnelso55
March 14th 2017


1450 Comments


Oh, good. Glad to hear you're not up and leaving entirely. Will look forward to the updates!

teamster
March 14th 2017


6292 Comments


Not a metal album. At all. I like Inside Room more, this is a nice change of pace from my every day listening choices. You describe what to expect brilliantly. Excellent review and thanks.

TheBarber
March 15th 2017


4130 Comments


Glads this finally gets such a nice review, still haven't quite digested everything but I really believe this is the best turn he could have took with the project

slikphuk
March 15th 2017


623 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Happy this finally got a review, such a great album. Awesome review!

budgie
March 15th 2017


38237 Comments


how does this measure up to inside room or watching from a distance?

Maco097
March 15th 2017


3343 Comments


It has Patrick Walker doing vocals.

budgie
March 15th 2017


38237 Comments


i really didn't ask for your opinion

rockandmetaljunkie
March 15th 2017


9658 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

amazing album, props for reviewing



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