Shy, Low – Snake Behind The Sun
Release Date: 8th October 2021
Label: Pelagic Records
Pre-Order
Bandcamp
Genre: Post-Rock, Post-Metal.
FFO: pg.lost, Russian Circles, Thrice, Cult Of Luna.
Review By: Jordan Burton-Morris
Shy, Low are an instrumental post-rock/metal 4-piece from Virginia. The bands new album Snake Behind the Sun is an astounding and immensely diverse record that will appeal to fans sitting on all ends of the broad spectrum of modern heavy rock music. So let’s get into the album!
There is no subtlety about the way these four start on opener Where The Light Bends. A very nice rich sound from the boys. This is their first time recording with a producer, namely Mike Watts, who has worked with bands such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Glassjaw, Hopesfall and Tides of Man! He really brings the best out of this band. It flows beautifully from opener to track 2, Helioentropy. A very nice bass tone is displayed from Drew Storcks here.
The latest single from this album, Umbra, is one that shows Dylan Partridge (drums) at his best. This appears to be his first album with the band, as at the time of recording, he was only a commissioned drummer. One thing led to another, and now he’s a fully fledged member of the band!
Fulgurations starts off very aggressively, letting you know this band hasn’t given all they’ve got yet. The tempo changes and the contrast in dynamics spread throughout really make this track a dramatic one. Nice use of panning at the end here with the feedback crackle.
The Beacon is the only other single currently released for this album. Being the shortest track on the album, it clocks in at just over 5 minutes. Still not bad going. It connects with its predecessor as if it were one long track. However, The Beacon starts very calm and melodic, almost Alter Bridge style. A slower track than the others, but very welcome here.
Fata Morgana starts with some very distorted bass, and then eases into a riff Maiden would be proud of. The use of terraced dynamics here is great, and the tempo changes allow you to immerse yourself truly in the track without forgetting it’s there, as it suddenly shocks you with heavy distortion and fast pace. And finally, closer Decease Spe Re. It begins something you would hear in a Sci-Fi film, but it’s soon interrupted by pounding drums and a mean bassline. This shows off Zak Bryant’s clean guitar work quite well, as well as his distorted. A great way to finish off the album!
In conclusion, this album has some really great songs, but only hardcore fans would listen through it front to back, realistically speaking. You could argue some of the songs could’ve been shortened, but overall it’s still a very strong album, showing off the ability of the members very well. Their ‘professional studio debut’ if you will.
(4 / 5)
