Earth to Earth is Arctic Sleep’s follow up to 2009’s Abysmal Lullabies. Instead of Keith D performing a one man show, co founder of this Chicago based band, Mike Gussis is back on guitars. Nick Smalkowski is behind the drums. Keith D’s vocals are as dark and rich in a Leonard Cohen sort of way, on “Hemlock Shadows”. Kind of like if Scott Weiland lost all hope on “Destroying Angel”. That’s just to give you a general idea of what you’re getting into with Arctic Sleep. In the end no one is sounding like these guys. this effort is dark and melancholy musically and as somber lyrically.
The first track “One Day We Will All Turn To Dust” opens with a chanting moan that slices the listeners soul to ribbons and reconstructs the listeners being with the beauty of melancholy celebrating the decay of life as it was once seen. Heavy guitar riffs and a voice that captures the worst of Heaven and the best of Hell. “And in your shining moment take comfort in the thought that one day we’ll be dust.”
My favorite track is “Destroying Angel” both lyrically and melodically. “Destitution in the vacuum the Seraphs remain to sanctify the arteries that drown us as they drain.” A seraph is one of the celestial beings that hover over God’s throne. What a great reference to pen into your lyrics. The ending leads you up the side of the mountain of decay only to push you off the top back down into the icy waters that is Arctic Sleep. Arctic knows how to grind on a good riff without over producing it into a blur of effects. “Hemlock Shadows” is beautiful in it’s imagery if not morose. “Lost to eternity and everything is gone fallen silent in our final setting sun.” Don’t worry there is hope. After all “our final setting sun” suggests some sort of end but the “our” implies we don’t have to be alone in the end. The mournfulness of the violin on this track makes love with the beauty of the piano. “Mold” the somber intro that leads into the despair of “Wintercreeper.” The final cut “Secret Ocean” is an instrumental that provides all the hope you could ever need after an eternity in darkness. Support this band or”The static dream is dead.”
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For More Information Visit:
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http://www.arcticsleep.com
http://www.myspace.com/arcticsleep
