Lowcaster: Flames Arise

Lowcaster is a San Francisco metal band who released their debut album The Vapour Sea in 2017. Their sophomore effort titled Flames Arise came out in 2019 and it is another excellent album found on the Ripple Music label. There are seven tracks spread over forty-five minutes and there is not one wasted moment. This disc has grabbed me from the moment it entered my CD player. The guitar work is stellar throughout, lots of heavy riffs and textures as the band lay down some pretty diverse atmospheres. While being quite moody it is also pretty catchy and the vocals have much to do with that. They really are a near perfect fit for the band’s progressive metal exploits.

The album’s first track “Prologue� is very slow and moody with an intense beginning with what sounds like a foghorn. Unsettling effects ensue including some heavy footfalls, wind and generally stormy weather. The build is slow and then the doomy guitar riffs enter with a dramatic flair. The sound is really quite majestic. The almost ten minute “Flames Bemoan The Tide� begins with a slow repeating heavy guitar riff and great vocals. The vocals throughout the disc are a major highlight. The doomy riffs are also catchy before turning in a mellower direction with some nice arpeggios. The trippy chords have a Floyd flavour, very moody and atmospheric. The track picks up the heaviness towards the end with some awesome guitar work. “Passage� is another short piece with droning background guitar and choral-like vocals. Heavy guitars and drums are immediately unleashed in the metal onslaught that is “Pilian� reminding me of Mastodon. The sound ventures into moody territory creating a textured soundscape with psychedelic undertones. More fast paced heavy riffage ensues.

This is another excellent release courtesy of Ripple Music, certainly one of my a favourite labels these last few years. Highly recommended for metal heads everywhere.

The band:
Jason Bridges (guitar, vocals)
Marc Brandi (guitar, vocals)
Dean Lavdie (drums)
Blaine Tabor (bass)

Track Listing:
1. Prologue
2. Flames Bemoan The Tide
3. Passage
4. Pilian
5. Extramuros
6. Shore Up The Ashes
7. Dust

Added: March 4th 2020
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Facebook
Hits: 969
Language: english

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