Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Pass/Fail: Chrome Waves - Chrome Waves

"Chrome Waves" is a song from Going Blank Again by shoegazers Ride.  Chrome Waves is also a blackened metalgaze trio consisting of Jeff Wilson (Nachtmystium, Wolvhammer), Stavros Giannopoulos (The Atlas Moth, Twilight) and Bob Fouts (The Gates of Slumber, Apostle of Solitude).

 The Chrome Waves EP starts off with the instrumental "Hearts Over Feathers," which is a great intro that builds as layers of guitars get added on top of one another.  It leads perfectly into "Height of the Rifles," the record's longest track.  At about the halfway point, this second song slows down and becomes Alcest for a moment.  See if you can hear what I mean.

"Light Behind a Shadow" gets off to a sluggish start, but it picks up with about two minutes left, ending much better than it began.  Next comes the EP's second instrumental track, "Eyelids of Dawn," whose opening brings Radiohead's "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" to mind.

 Everything comes together on "That Cursed Armored Train," which is probably the strongest track here.  This is what Chrome Waves is all about.

"Blackbird" closes Chrome Waves.  It features an organ/synth as well as an acoustic guitar, and its extended guitar solo has a bit of a classic rock feel.

This EP is a promising effort from an underground metal supergroup of sorts.  I'm looking forward to what Chrome Waves can offer on a hopefully upcoming full-length record.

Grade: Pass

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