I hate it when bands try too hard. In the case of Drain The Sky’s album Haunted By Rivers, the band is trying too hard to sound creepy and intense, but all they manage to muster is boring. It’s a noisy mish-mash of blast beats, slow (trying to be) creepy passages and dissonance. They’re trying to create moods, I get that. They’re just not doing a very convincing job.

The sonics are good all around. The guitars and drums sound very good and the mix is solid. The vocals are all over the place from Tiamat-like throaty whispers to screams. The song titles are a little contrived…”A Fragile Mind”, “Sightless”, “Starving In Time”…trying to hard, again. It’s apparent that the band is made up of good musicians, it’s just that what’s on offer here is lacking…something.

There was just nothing outstanding on this album for me that would inspire repeated listens, let alone enjoyment. It’s dull, lifeless and sometimes chuckle-inducing. If you’re thinking of buying this, try and find a way to listen to if first…you can thank me later.

[Visit the band's website]

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