Desolation. Hopelessness. Perseverance. Reflection.
Your final hours are submerged in a potentially watery grave. Your toes anxiously seek for a bottom they shall never find. As water channels down your throat, avoiding the splutters of fear you spit, ‘He’ lays down the preparations for your after life. Your perseverance relies on the calm waters surrounding you. Your hopeless reflections scream at your denial as your eyes cast to the horizon of the gathering black clouds and surging swell. At death’s door the cards of small untruths are now outlaid for you to finally see.
In 2007, the ‘neath name was catapulted from relative obscurity outside of their home city Brisbane, with their debut release ‘The Spiders Sleep’ (TSS) unto the worldwide stage against names such as Opeth and My Dying Bride. At times it was evident ‘neath managed to supersede their peers in comparison to the ears of many critics. Sticking to the simple formulas that proved to be so effective in the lead up to their necrology, ‘neath have ignored all the praise and hype garnered their way, and once again played only a handful of shows in and around Brisbane,
Whilst also embarking on a small North QLD tour. With this absence from the live front they have further enhanced their craft and development behind closed doors. Over the last 17 months ‘neaths sole energy has been channeled toward the fast tracking of their sophomore release, ‘The Small Untruths’. (TSU)
November 2008 presents Obsidian Records once again with the most wondrous pleasure of aligning itself with one of Australia’s most exciting and contemporary metal acts.
Those familiar with ‘neath and the compositions that made up TSS are best warned to make no preconceptions as to what will make up the consistency of TSU. In the best interest of most bands, progression is essential. Whilst at times the raw, aggressive elements that made TSS have been stripped back, the counter balance with TSU is found in a darker, moodier and more confronting style of writing and projection. Majestic acoustic passages that accompany TSU are mashed against ferocious vocals, brooding keyboards and at various times, attacking, and vehement pieces like two tides colliding against each other; Calm and peaceful Vs barreling and tumultuous. The music guides you down a dizzying exploration of one’s inner self fraught with raw human emotion.
Capitalizing on the strengths and themes of its predecessor, The Small Untruths Re-establishes the band’s command of polar musical extremes, contrasting mood and broad dynamics. From the seeds of their individual progression, oppressive guitars and impermeable bass, protean drumming and malevolent vocals combine as ‘neath harvest their pernicious dark progressive death metal elements and offset them with the succulent, semi-acoustic passages of flowing melody and gentle dissonant unease that ‘neath are becoming known for. The Small Untruths is an alluvion of rich, musical output that again leaves no stone of the expanding ‘neath inventory unturned.
Like the waves that will soon wash over your struggling form, it is best to just lie their and let the music envelope you like water, as it fills your ears. However, for the most part, forget your tags and clichés of ‘progressive metal’, TSU is simply delectable to anyone with a genuine taste of metal and musical appreciation, plain and simple.
‘neath
‘The Small Untruths’
1. Worm
2. Paintings
3. Down
4. Untruths
5. Remember
6. Shell
The Untruths MP.3
The Untruths OGG
’neath Myspace
