WarCrab – The Howling Silence
Release Date: 3rd November 2023
Label: Transcending Obscurity
Bandcamp
Genre: Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Death Metal.
FFO: Crowbar, Thou, Bolt Thrower, Owlcrusher.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
WarCrab had caught my attention some time ago, and during the same sale, Sepulchral Curse also piqued my interest (I promise, there’s no sponsorship from the label involved!). The album Dammed In The Endless Night struck a chord with me, especially on an emotional level. It was a Sludge album, raw, heavy, and grimy, but it had moments of depth that kept drawing me back. The amalgamation of Crowbar’s oppressive sound and Bolt Thrower’s aggression worked exceptionally well. So, when The Howling Silence was presented to me, I couldn’t help but feel a bit apprehensive, questioning whether it could match the same level of quality right away.
Right from the outset, it’s evident that this album is different. While it shares much in common with Dammed In The Endless Night, it’s undeniably more ferocious. There are only a few moments of respite before plunging back into the muck. If you’re a fan of the Death Metal side of this band, then The Howling Silence is tailor-made for you. There are no intros, interludes, or outros, just an unrelenting onslaught. I’m about to contradict myself because I usually despise filler tracks, but WarCrab handles them exceptionally well. I must confess that I missed them in this new offering, so perhaps, there’s a tad too little noodling for my taste.
Simultaneously, certain elements have delved deeper into Sludge Metal, particularly the vocals and song structure. There were moments when it felt like Thou and WarCrab were essentially sharing the same sound, except without the four-minute-long slow intro. This might be a polarizing aspect, depending on your expectations from WarCrab. I believe that with time, it will grow on me, but for now, this shift isn’t my first choice. However, what I still adore are the guitar solos. Not many bands execute them like Warcrab does. They’re neurotic and sometimes dissonant. This departure from conventional musical sensibilities has become the norm in modern metal, but within the realms of Sludge/Doom and at a slower tempo, it genuinely forges a unique atmosphere.
I acknowledge that my points, both positive and negative, might appear more mixed than usual. That’s because this review has been challenging, as some elements are excellent, while others could benefit from improvement. I particularly miss the emotional depth of previous work; not that this album is any less complex, but it just doesn’t hit as hard in the feels. However, I still believe that The Howling Silence is a valuable addition to WarCrab‘s discography. The band continues to evolve, carving out its distinctive sound. If I had to describe briefly what The Howling Silence sounds like, it’s essentially Warcrab‘s foray into Death metal territory. If Sludge hasn’t entirely resonated with you in the past, this album might just change your mind.
(3.5 / 5)
