Sunday 6 April 2014

Outwailed - Observant - Album Review

Observant cover art

Album Type:Album
Date Released: January 9th 2014
Label: Self Released

Observant - track listing:

1 Atonement 07:42
2 Ephemeral 07:53
3 Circle 06:53
4 Downfall 09:28
5 Obliteration 07:29

Bio:

Outwailed is a collective of musicians, based in Tampere, Finland. Post-metal/sludge/doom. Independent/DIY.

Review:

Outwailed released their debut album – Observant – earlier this year and it's only now that I have had the chance to check it out. As they impressed the hell out of me back in Sept 2012 when I featured their debut EP – Black Earth.

What can I say about Observant – Well it's a fucking brilliant piece of intense and intelligent Sludge/Post-Metal riffs that will leave you in a daze for a very long time to come. If you're a fan of ISIS, Neurosis and Cult Of Luna then you need to check this album out now. As Outwailed play the same sort of emotionally charged music that only Post-Metal can deliver.

First track – Atonement – is a slow paced intelligent offering that features some finely played Sludge/Post-Metal riffs mixed with elements of ambient based Post-Rock passages which gives this track a delicate edge. The vocals may not deviate from other Sludge/Post-Metal bands but who the fuck cares when they are good as this.

Outwailed have upped their game on this album since their debut EP – Black Earth. As the album holds many more moments of Sludge/Post-Metal brilliance to admire here. You will lose yourself in tracks such as Ephemeral and Circle. Two of the albums best tracks which shows you why Outwailed are becoming highly thought of within the Sludge/Post-Metal scene.

Observant is an emotionally charged monster of an album that I haven't stopped listening to for the last few weeks or so. If you need more evidence to check this album out then listen to the two final slabs of Sludge/Post-Metal carnage that is Downfall and Obliteration. 18 minutes that features some of the finest post-metal riffs you will hear this year and one that will leave you an emotional wreck.

Outwailed have written a living and breathing entity that demands your time and respect. Outwailed have delivered the perfect balance between light and darkness. The Post-Rock element of the album soothes you during the quiet moments but when things need to become violent and downright nasty then the louder and epic Post-Metal riffs will take over your soul.

Take my advice – Headover to BandCamp and download this album on Buy Now Download. Donate if you can. This is a brilliant album. End Of.

Check The Band From Links Below.


Written by Steve Howe