Executioner’s Mask – Almost There
Release Date: 30th August 2024
Label: Seeing Red Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Shoegaze, Post-Punk, Grunge, Noise Rock, Goth Rock.
FFO: Hexvessel, Paradise Lost, Thou.
Review By: Ross Bowie
Executioner’s Mask latest offering, Almost There, is a dark shoegaze odyssey that weaves together elements of grunge, goth, and post-punk into a soundscape that’s as haunting as it is immersive. The band have taken their experiments from their last album Winterlong, which seen the band experiment more with shoegaze and push their sound into chorus pedalled fuelled soundscapes.
The opening track, Devoured, sets the tone with a riff that fuses grunge’s raw edge with the ethereal swirl of chorus pedals. The lead guitar drifts effortlessly into shoegaze territory, creating a dreamy yet heavy backdrop that complements the deep, goth-inflected vocals. The pace of the track picks up in a way that feels natural, pulling the listener deeper into the album’s shadowy world. It’s clear that even from the opening track that the star of the show is going to be the stellar guitar work. The guitars are not only used to create atmosphere but the lead lines that are effortlessly pulled out all across the album, keep the instrumental aspect of the band interesting and always moving forward.
However, the same can’t be said for the band’s approach to vocals. While the vocal style isn’t outright bad, it just seems to sit in one place while every else grows around it. The musicianship is constantly evolving, and you can’t help but think a lot of these songs would benefit from an explosion of melody, or a soaring chorus. Failed Dreams II has a beautifully crafted section that opens the track right up, but the main vocal melody continues in its deep monotone delivery, sounding like Lou Reed has just heard Type O Negative for the first time and thought he’d give it a bash. As the album continues, the lead guitar work continues to shine, but there’s a nagging sense that a wider vocal range could push the band’s sound to greater heights. The vocals, while fittingly brooding, sometimes feel restrained, leaving you wondering what could have been if they had ventured further out of their comfort zone however, Mezcal Perfume is a point where the balance of music and vocals to work and vocalist Jay Gambit delivers some sense of melody that plays off the rest of the band, before the song bursts into life with a build up in its second act.
When reading the words Dark Gaze, I was intrigued to see what style of production the band would approach this album with, but I’m glad to say they have got this aspect spot on. The production has a minimalist approach, which makes the songs feel like they’re being played right in front of you while still sounding crisp enough to pick out all the intricate details.
Overall, Almost There is a compelling listen that captures the essence of dark shoegaze while also hinting at potential growth areas for the band. The album’s strengths lie in its atmosphere, guitar work, and the immersive quality of its production. However, there’s a sense that the band is holding something back, particularly vocally. If Executioner’s Mask can harness the full range of their abilities, they might just transcend the shadowy confines they’ve created, taking their sound to new and exciting places.
(2.5 / 5)
