Review: Shallow Black ‘D2E0M2O [CHAPTERS]’ EP
In the twenty-first century, considering how bombarded we are with information, and how accessible it would appear, the whole planet is, on everything, to be an enigma really is something that is a rarity. The 24/7, social media electronic machine keeps us updated, and you can’t even sneeze these days, without it instantly appearing on any one of the multitude of social platforms.
We use the world wide web to keep us constantly informed, on anything from skin problems to despot presidents, and their insane ideas, and this keeps us constantly fulfilled with the knowledge we apparently need to survive daily life.
So, imagine then, that an EP, or an album sneaks out, cloaked in darkness and mystery, where finding out about the artist, or said EP/album is nigh on impossible. Either this would fill you with dread, or hopefully it would fill you with a child-like wonderment, aching to know more, but letting the music do the talking, instead of a technological screen.
Well, if the thought of learning more about a wondrous new project fills you with a sense of itchy excitement, look no further, as you’ve landed squarely at the founding moments of a project, which as it evolves, will hopefully take you away to a place not seen before, but will have you hungry for more with each new morsel.
The said project is Shallow Black, and it is the brainchild, and solo work, of one mister Erik Bigelow, drum maestro for the incredible EMBR, from Alabama, USA. Completely in charge, taking no prisoners, and fulfilling his wildest concepts, Bigelow has not so much side stepped, but more embraced, the ideas and opportunities, that come with being the overall mastermind this time round.
Of course, EMBR band mate, and wife, Crystal Bigelow has leant her divine vocal talents to the affair, but in a far more subtle way this time round, and thus, Shallow Black has been spawned. D2E0M2O2 [CHAPTERS] is a three track EP, but even for that, it still weighs in at over thirty-two minutes, so in comparison with a lot of modern albums, it could more than sufficiently be considered album length.
OK, so, lets now delve a little deeper on the music itself, which, let’s face it, is what we are all here for. All three tracks play through, pretty much without any real break. In reality it is one long storyline, but as is the way with books using ‘chapters’, it is slightly broken down into more manageable chunks, to make for an easier sitting.
Full of sludgy goodness, its slow lurching pace will have you transfixed…
Each track is as monumentally heavy as its predecessor, and for me, it does conjure up a real Cult Of Luna vibe. This is where there is a noticeable separation from EMBR. This is all together, a darker, vastly more primal collection of work. Clean vocals are replaced with guttural growls, beastly outpourings, and monstrous monologues. Chugging guitar passages, and pounding drums, are the order of the day. Even the inclusion of the sound of fingers sliding down guitar strings during power chord sections, are such a welcome addition.
Interspersed throughout the who EP are soundbites from iconic films, and I absolutely adore these. A staple of a lot of 90s heavy music, hearing a film passage you could easily recognise would instantly draw you in deeper to any tune. I always love Entombed for that, and here too, the pop culture soundbites will have you smiling from ear to ear, while at the same time, frowning like a convict on death row.
Full of sludgy goodness, its slow lurching pace will have you transfixed by just where you are being led. The individual instruments have been so beautifully captured, and over laced, creating something that is hard to conceive is a debut release, because it feels more like that of a seasoned professional.
And that’s the thing here. This isn’t the work of someone chancing their arm, this is a work of substance, lovingly created by a musician who knows exactly what they want, and the love of that comes across throughout the three tracks. This whole EP has been considered, from individual drum patterns to thunderous basslines, and ambient background soundscapes, interlaced, but never overwhelming.
I implore you, take a chance, and check out Shallow Black. I promise you; this is the start of something really special. Granted, it will need several listens to truly get on the ride, but once you do, you will know you are part of something elite, something progressive.
Make sure you tell your friends and let them know you heard it here first. To quote directly from something pop culture and recently relevant, ‘This is the way’…
Label: Independent
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
Scribed by: Lee Beamish
