Rwake – Rest

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Arkansas is about as backwoods a locale as there is for an American metal band, and Rwake absolutely embraces that, burying their doom under six feet of sludge. 2007′s Voices of Omens hinted at the band’s ability to craft a masterpiece and very nearly was one itself. Rest is the full realization of that potential. Over six tracks (four songs proper and two effectively creepy interludes), the sextet soundtracks a swampy, sun-baked acid trip, complete with audio hallucinations (Was Only a Dream) and Lynyrd Skynyrd-like solos screaming with feedback (It Was Beautiful But Now It’s Sour). Vocalist CT’s wounded howl is as effective as it’s ever been, his low bellow ringing through every track between snaking guitar and hard-hit drums and occasionally laid bare on some nearly a cappella passages. His lyrics and vocals help the album transcend to true masterpiece status and get Rwake out from the shadow of acts like EyeHateGod and Weedeater once and for all. The best American sludge band today is Rwake, and Rest is their best supporting evidence. Play it loud, and if possible, outdoors.

Written by Brad Sanders
More: 2011, Albums, Quick.Play Reviews, Sludge, Rwake