Crawl Below – 9 Miles Square
Release Date: 12th February 2021
Label: Self-Release
Bandcamp
Genre: Doomgaze, Post-Metal, Doom, Stonegaze.
FFO: Type O Negative, Woods Of Ypres, The Cure, Katatonia.
Review By: Adam Martin
Connecticut’s Crawl Below is Charlie Sad Eyes’ one-man project focused on his New England origins, and like the name suggests, the dark depths of doom is it’s essence. 9 Mile Square is Charlie’s next endevour, a six-song LP of doom-infused post-metal focused on the history and legends of Norwich, Connecticut.
Opening the LP, Feed The Towers Above The Trees offers the slow and steady progression that drones through each track, perfecly setting the tone. The rhythm section lays down plenty of dirt for the melody to wade through but still manages to leave enough space for the vocals to drift in and out, with the chorus vocals shining bright. After the 3 min mark the track becomes a little tedious as nothing seems to shift, but the vocals make a gallant return sparing the listener from boredom.
The second track Fire On The Hill picks up the pace just a little, starting almost immediately, reminding us that doom doesn’t always drag. A lot more is offered up in this track, with a breakdown that throws you back and forth, and a surprising sudden end that lends nicely to the beginning of Kingdom Of The Ruined, the ballad of the LP. I always enjoy a good ballad in amongst the filth, and this is no exeption. Starting off like any ballad, with gentle guitar picking, it already throws us a curveball as the guitars chug their way into a glrious riff, amplified by Charlie’s soothing voice that’s sure to leave everyone in the room swooning.
What you get after this milestone is more of what you expect, two more sludegy tunes to sway to. Monument and Tarnished The Name both offer the listener a little more rhythmic diversity, with the latter introducing a harsher tone to crunch on, especially in the breakdown later in the song. Dynamically, these two tracks stand above the others for me, each section focuses on new elements and gives space to enjoy them.
When you finally reach the title-track, you realise why it was left ‘till last. This big ass track sways, chugs, drones and lifts you higher, only to drop you into the depths to Crawl Below once again. 9 Mile Square truly highlights the glorious harmonies that run through the entire LP, soothing the ears after the barrage of sludge.
Beautiful vocals, great rhythmic detail, and the concoction of soothing yet harsh sounds make this a record worth listening to. The only flaw in the entire LP stems from the timing, some of the songs can drag a little here and there, but with the tone that is carried throughout it is forgiving to this issue. It amazes me that each instrument, each vocal part, has all been performed by this one man who clearly has a passion for what he creates. Crawl Below is a project worthy of any doom lovers attention that’s looking for something to sooth the soul.
(4 / 5)
