Without Waves: Comedian

Without Waves’s latest album Comedian caught me off-guard. Perhaps it was the album’s title, or perhaps it was the family of Flamingo’s on the cover- in truth I didn’t know what to expect but it certainly wasn’t this!

Comedian is an eccentric & eclectic collection of experimental progressive metal. I use the term Progressive in the vein of The Dillinger Escape Plan, Between the Buried and Me, and some of Mike Patton’s craziest works (ie. Fantomas). I also hear a lot of City-era Strapping Young Lad on this release. I use comparisons, not because Without Waves are overly like these bands, but because there are times where I pick up on these sorts of influences/vibes. The drumming is a real focal point of the bands heavy moments and there is an almost industrial vibe to some of the riffing -perhaps this is the genesis of the SYL comparison. The vocals are really varied and chaotic right throughout the release, which is no doubt why I’m hearing influence from Patton (chaos) and BTBAM (varied styles).

My favourite tracks on Comedian are the album opener "Good Grief", the mid paced chugger "Sleep Deep", the unhinged "Do What Scares You", and the bluesy ballad "Worlds Apart".

The Chicago based quartet have put together an enjoyable album which is both heavy and interesting. If you’re into any of the bands used as comparisons, then I’d have no hesitations in recommending that you give this album a play through.

Track List
1. Good Grief
2. Animal Kingdom
3. .algorithm
4. Set & Setting
5. Sleep Deep
6. Do What Scares You
7. Sleight in Shadows
8. Day 15
9. Worlds Apart
10. Seven

Added: March 2nd 2022
Reviewer: Chris Reid
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 952
Language: english

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