Playgrounded: In Time With Gravity

Playgrounded is a heavy electronic rock band hailing from Greece but based out of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Their debut album Athens was released in 2013 and in 2017 Playgrounded released their sophomore effort In Time With Gravity.

The album begins with “Crossing�, all pulsating electronics and deep fuzzy synths. Eerie synths and near whispered vocals add an unsettling atmosphere to the bands varied sound palette. Heavy guitars give the track plenty of heft. More heavy guitars and electronics can be heard on the dark and plodding “Mute�. This would make a great backdrop to a horror movie soundtrack. Morose and downcast it is…happy it isn’t. The vocals are clean and very effective at carrying the mood. Bursts of heaviness, cool effects and moody keyboards make “Waves� another disquieting but intriguing listen. The title track begins with industrial-like percussion and crisp electronics. A moody synth soundscape is unveiled before guitars lighten up the music with a chiming quality. The uplifting mood doesn’t last long as bursts of heaviness disrupt the tranquility. An ambient break follows building upon synthesized effects and keys. It’s quite a varied and twisting road the band has created for us. With “Rotterdam� the heavy groove and crisp electronics reminded me a little of Kraftwerk in spots while the vocals have a Depeche Mode vibe. The three part “The Stranger� ends the disc in suitably epic fashion although they are really standalone tracks. More heavy moods and atmospheres abound.

A shroud of darkness wraps this album and as you peel back the dense layers the music will seep into your very core if you let it. You need to pay attention to get the full effect, just as it should be with all progressive minded music.

A Freia Music release.

Band members:

Odysseas Zafeiriou (bass)
Orestis Zafeiriou (keys, programming)
Giorgos Pouliasis (drums)
Stavros Markonis (vocals)
Michael Kotsirakis (guitars)

Track Listing:
1. Crossing
2. Mute
3. Waves
4. In Time With Gravity
5. Rotterdam
6. The Stranger pt. I Funeral
7. The Stranger pt. II Killing
8. The Stranger pt. III Verdict

Added: November 12th 2018
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 1034
Language: english

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