As someone who draws a great deal of influence from bands such as Uada and Cradle of Filth, whenever a new project crops up with similar inspiration, I’m automatically intrigued. Underwater Father, a Finnish four-piece, follows in the vein of those acts as well as adding elements of death metal. Their debut EP, Without Waves, published through Inverse Records, explores themes of existentialism and inevitability through the medium of melodic soundscapes contrasted with abrasive riff work.
“The title reflects the idea that everything in life moves in waves — without them, only emptiness remains,”
Which is an appropriate summary of the flow of the music as well. Many of the structures follow in that patterning, bringing back riffs to emphasize focal points in the composition and a tone that replicates stormy waters.
All tracks open rather stunningly, successfully drawing the attention of the listener with a siren-like quality. As previously mentioned, they bring back a lot of these opening sections later in the music with some embellishments or minor changes that tie in elegantly to their intention. I commend them on how well thought out the construction of the tracks is, noticeable care was put into creating a very cohesive sonic flow. Their second track, Drowned, is probably the best example I can think of when it comes to displaying this talent. However, I will admit my bias here, as I enjoyed the tracks that leaned heavier on the black metal side than the death.
The third track, My Name is Your Name, is my favorite of the four, taking a few more risks by meshing two very distinctive styles. Partially brutal, hard-hitting, misanthropic beats and alternately cutting, soaring song work. This track is also my recommendation to newcomers to the band, as it is an excellent portrayal of their skill set. The mixing from Saku Moilanen really does justice to the sound, with no one element overpowering another. This EP is very approachable with enough originality to hold the attention of older fans of the genre. With that being said, some of the more experimental elements may potentially be isolating to those looking for predictability.
Overall, Without Waves was an enjoyable quick listen as deep as the Mariana Trench itself. I would most likely throw this into rotation for those who want to dip their toes into blackened elements without fully committing to stepping outside of the melodeath area. The EP definitely left me wondering how this project will progress in the future, and hopefully we will see more of that innovation soon. The My Name is Your Name music video is available to be viewed now over on YouTube, and the EP is available for purchase over on Bandcamp. Make sure to look before you dive, listeners, and until next time, hails or something.
RATING: 3 out of 5
RATING SYSTEM:
- 0: Fucking Shit
- 1: Shit
- 2: Not Bad Shit
- 3: Pretty Good Shit
- 4: Amazing Fucking Shit
- 5: The Best Shit You Will Ever Hear
