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audiObelisk: Second Grave Stream “Drink the Water” from New Antithesis EP

The new two-songer from Second Grave is something of a beast. In right about 18 minutes, the Massachusetts-based four-piece sum up the machinations of their prior self-titled full-length debut (review here) and also push the bounds of their emerging aesthetic, frontwoman Krista van Guilder (ex-Warhorse) belting out memorable choruses for both “Mourning Light” and “Drink the Water” as the two songs on Antithesis seem to lock in stylistic combat with each other. Meeting on the line between doom and metal, “Mourning Light” and “Drink the Water” each offer no questions as to their allegiances, but more importantly, as they make their way through, Second Grave sound consistent and confident playing to whichever end they so choose.

To wit, the marauding riff of “Mourning Light” runs at a faster, NWOBHM gallop — van Guilder and Chris Drzal‘s guitars winding around the pace set by Chuck Ferreira‘s drums and the bass of Dave Gein (also of Black Pyramid/The Scimitar) — while “Drink the Water” offers more morose fare, thoroughly doomed with a classic, Euro sensibility about it, heavy, lumbering, but with a tinge of emotional drama underpinning. Looking at the comparative runtimes for the two, “Mourning Light” at 6:38 and “Drink the Water” at 11:41, there’s an immediate understanding that Second Grave have a varied methodology, and the pairing of one right with the next brings that all the more into relief, but at no point do Second Grave sound like they’re putting on airs or cloying at sonic diversity for the sake of pretense.

With “Drink the Water” especially, the natural balance in the band’s sound comes out in the fluid tempo changes and the catchy hook, both of which give way to crushing, slow-paced crash topped with vicious screams emphatically delivered by van Guilder. Feedback-soaked madness ensues, and if nothing else, Second Grave finish out Antithesis on some of their darkest and most oppressive atmospherics yet.

Antithesis was recorded by Clay Neely at Black Coffee Sound and mastered by John Brenner of Revelation. Second Grave will support the Oct. 31 Pariah Child Records release (limited to 500 10″ vinyl copies) with a slot at Stoner Hands of Doom XIII at Strange Matterin Richmond, VA, on Nov. 9.

Enjoy “Drink the Water” on the player below:

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Second Grave’s website

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3 Responses to “audiObelisk: Second Grave Stream “Drink the Water” from New Antithesis EP”

  1. Iommiisagod says:

    Thanks for showcasing this…gotta check them out. This is one heavy, badass track. Rad stuff.

  2. Niko says:

    This new EP kills.. Crazy to hear the progression from the first EP to this in less than a year. Love these guys, new shit slays live too

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