Cave of Swimmers – Aurora
Release Date: 23rd February 2021
Label: BroomTune Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Doom-prog, Prog Metal, Heavy Metal.
FFO: Metallica, AC/DC, Electric Wizard.
Review By: Adam Martin
Just when listeners thought they had Miami-based Cave of Swimmers pegged as a doom-prog band with an appreciation for a razor sharp guitar leads, the duo is throwing a curveball with their new album, Aurora, scheduled for release on February 23 via BroomTune Records.
The partners in crime formed Cave of Swimmers in Miami in 2012 after moving from their native Venezuela, where they grew up listening to metal and traditional Caribbean music. After the release of their album Reflection, Cave of Swimmers garnered a cult following, earning the band national dates with doom heavyweights High on Fire and an appearance at Psycho Las Vegas Festival.
Aurora begins with the most appropriate intro, Through the Star Gate, an atmospheric piece that delivers just a small taste of what this duo is capable of. It’s a slow build up of soaring guitars and a marching beat that intensifies until reaching the apex, where The Sun begins. Its sudden disconnect from the intro is jaring, a slight distraction. That’s not to say this track doesn’t start off right. The main riff really knows how to get things going, building back up from what was lost, and as soon as the verse starts, you just feel the need to hear more. Vocals, reminiscent of old school heavy metal giants, flow through the thrashing riff eventually building to an extremely singable and catchy chorus.
So far everything feels comfortable and nostalgic, but the few hints of progressive metal keep it from getting too predictable. This is more evident when Double Rainbow rears its puzzled head. It’s erratic structure and almost Serj Tankian like vocalisations makes you question if you are still listening to the same band. But fear not! As Guillermo’s vocals pull you back with another catchy chorus, soothing the pangs of discomfort produced by the wild verses.
My Human keeps the dark tone going, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that’s where they are staying. As the riff kicks in, the drums lay down an almost disco dance beat just to even out the dark tone of the guitar, which suddenly shifts to an 80s synth ballad where the verse begins, only to be stepped on once again with a big belting heavy metal chorus. Out of all the tracks on the album, this is certainly the most interesting. The erratic behaviour comes back in Looking Glass with more Serj-like vocalisations, sudden stops, and a latin rock style solo that doesn’t lose it’s thrashy roots.
The last two tracks, Dirt and C.S. feel like the perfect pair to end the album on, showing off all of their influences, their unique ideas, and how dynamic they can be. Dirt shows a lot of technicality, with the prog influences truly shining here with complex syncopations and melodies. You are hit with a pleasant and welcoming surprise of acoustic spanish guitar at the end of the track, transitioning quite nicely into the sorrowful beginning of C.S.. The vocals are powerful in this track, enhanced by the minimal backing, giving them plenty of room to breathe and to be lifted by the strings. Something seems to snap when the thrash comes back after a 4 minute build-up, and we are reminded of why we are listening to this powerful duo. The song only continues to intensify, never letting up, pounding every note until the sudden end.
I hadn’t expected to have so much to say about a 6 song album (excluding the intro), but this duo have put together an album that just gives so much. Each chorus is catchy, and the big belting style creates a wonderfuly nostalgic feeling in any metal fan. Each note is executed perfectly, demostrating the bands technicality. And as a drummer, it’s great to hear someone as talented as Arturo getting those few moments to solo his chops.
(4 / 5)
