Dreadnought – The Endless
Release Date: 26th August 2022
Label: Profound Lore Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Progressive Metal, Progressive Doom.
FFO: Myrkur, Opeth, White Stones, Feral Season.
Review By: Eric Wilt
Dreadnought is a progressive metal quartet from Denver, Colorado. Having been in the game since 2012, the band, which is made up of Kelly Schilling on guitar and vocals, Kevin Handlon on bass, Lauren Vieira on keyboards and vocals, and Jordan Clancy on drums, is set to release their fifth full-length album through the mighty Profound Lore Records at the end of August. The album, entitled The Endless, was produced, mixed, and mastered by Pete de Boer of World Famous Studios and features artwork by Reza Afshar.
As I listened to The Endless for the first, a number of words came to my mind: lush, beautiful, complex, fierce, atmospheric, and penetrating. Obviously, there is a lot going on here. When I think of progressive metal, I think of bands like Dream Theater and Haken, but traditional progressive metal shares little in common with what Dreadnought is doing. The music is progressive in that it is pushing the boundaries of the genres it dabbles in, but it is also progressive in that it is creating something new by combining the influence from these various genres. When I listen to The Endless, I hear a mixture of doom, indie rock, black metal, prog rock, and a touch of folk. There are aspects of drone music in their songs, especially in Midnight Moon and Liminal Veil, the latter of which also utilizes the synthesizer in a way that would make Richard Wright proud.
While the music is dense and intelligent and varied and sure to warrant numerous repeat listens, it is the clean vocals that made the deepest impression on me. Kelly Schilling has a rare soprano voice that sounds pristine, reserved, and powerful all at once. It reminds me of a cross between Myrkur and Dolores O’Riordan from 90s alternative band The Cranberries. This juxtaposed with Schilling’s feral shrieks that are utilized in the more aggressive parts of the songs create an intense counterbalance that Dreadnought revisits throughout the album. There is a foreboding that weaves its way through the record that feels as if it is released on the penultimate song of the album, which is called Gears of Violent Endurance and which features a bleak section of quiet guitars that is reminiscent of Opeth at their less death metal times.
The Endless by Dreadnought is impressive upon first listen, but it is also a grower in that the listener is rewarded with new musical discoveries on subsequent listens. This is progressive metal at its most contemplative and intense, but also at its most lush and beautiful. Fans of music that offers a unique and singular listening experience will find much to enjoy herein.
(4.5 / 5)
