I’m Trying as Hard as I Can Not to Make a “Raising the Roof” Pun

Posted in Reviews on December 15th, 2009 by JJ Koczan

They like cowboys. It's a whole thing with them.Chicago post-metallers Angel Eyes have since released a split with Germany’s A Fine Boat, that Coffin!, but on their EP …And for a Roof a Sky Full of Stars (Underground Communique), the five-piece works quickly to execute two extended tracks of thinky thinky heaviness, showing a considerable Isis influence in the process. The atmosphere is paramount on both “One” and “Two” (you’ll never guess which is first), and as much as the troubled screams and evocative lyrics firmly engage the listener, so too do the wispy guitar lines and background electronics noises enrich the emotionality of the experience.

This will be familiar territory for most fans of the genre, though like City of Ships, Angel Eyes seems to come from a more emo-centric position — one of these dudes sounds like the guy from Thursday when he screams. Doubtless that will repel some listeners looking for a “meatier” sound à la Through Silver in Blood, but …And for a Roof a Sky Full of Stars should not be immediately counted out. After all, with two tracks at 16:44 and 10:03, respectively, it’s not like Angel Eyes are writing three minute pop-punk songs for radio play and use in sneaker commercials.

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