Rising - Oceans Into Their Graves
Danish sludge metallers return reborn with bigger and better sound
With a healthy dose of melody and eerie atmospherics, Rising’s Ocean Into Their Graves sees the Danish sludge metallers return from the dead with an effective blend of Mastodon-esque prog and crushing riffs that borrow much of their inspiration from 70s rock and metal. The group have benefited from their change of line-up post-disbanding, with fresh new faces and a larger line-up giving a thicker and more impressive sound.
New singer Morten Grønnegaard breaks little new ground sonically, but his vocals are powerful and well suited for Rising’s sludgy sound. Meanwhile, the addition of a new guitarist has beefed up the Danes’ sound, and allows tracks to incorporate some effective lead guitar alongside crushing riffs. On ‘Old Jealousy’ blistering guitars accompany soaring moments of glorious power, whilst album centrepiece ‘The Anger’ adds a layer of doom to the fray, bringing the group’s usual uptempo retro rock riffs and grooves into a murkier realm.
Fuelled by aggression, Rising’s sound is gritty and forceful, and yet allows for uplifting moments not found in your average sludge act. Oceans Into Their Graves is unlikely to be hailed as a classic, but it is an excellent starting point from a group clearly looking to improve after three years spent in the Netherworld.
7/10
