Sea Of Storms: Dead Weight

Artist: Sea Of Storms
Title: Dead Weight
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: 9th June 2015
Reviewed By: Dan Stoten

Well, this is fun.

Some of the best records are those which are just noisy, thrashy, unadulterated fun to listen to. Whether that's due to the band's impressive experience and consequent dynamics as a unit, or down to something else entirely doesn't really matter. All you need to know is that Dead Weight is more than the sum of it's parts.

For me, this nine-track debut record walks a line between gruff punk rock, 90s grunge and atmospheric stoner rock. It's difficult to put your finger on exactly where Dead Weight fits into the musical spectrum: indeed, it's hard to put your finger on where each track on the album fits. Many of them slide between genres: the seven-minute Weak Ones being a perfect example of this. With initial punk-tinged vocals, there's some brilliant riffing in a lengthy instrumental past, before warbling lyrics the like of which wouldn't sound out of place on a Nirvana record hit back in. At the same time, this isn't what I'd call a driving, punchy song: it's one that floats along on a sea of heavy riffs, meandering around the curves created by the slamming drums and edgy vocal. This is a unique feature, one I've not heard in many places before now.

The album certainly starts off in a punkier vein, though, with opener Belly Full Of Bones smashing aggressively from your speakers. Brandon's lyrics have a real ability to fill space between riffs, ensuring the track is a complete audio experience. Again, the song meanders between different genres and styles within its three and a half minutes, with slower, instrumental sections playing the foil to the punchy, shouty sections. It's a clever mix and one which works well.

Returning to that 'fun' theme I mentioned earlier, Got Your Number is one of the songs here which exemplifies that. It's a track which sounds almost jubilant in it's delivery, with a slightly more soaring vocal, less choppy style and sharp, rapid drumming giving it a real punk edge. Wait for the massive final chorus: you'll know what I mean. Although not as complex and multi-layered as some of the other tracks on Dead Weight, it shows the band's ability to switch techniques brilliantly.

The album also has a pleasingly DIY feel to it: although it's been well produced, it hasn't been polished to within an inch of it's life. When listening to it, I felt like I was almost in the room with the band: the feedback from guitars, genuine crash of a cymbal and raucous vocal exacerbating that. It's not something you hear every day and something which I really like.

Third track (and album title) Dead Weight returns back to the hazy, grunge rock style in the verses, but combines them with a simple and catchy punk-influenced chorus. It's one of my favourite songs on the record, because it's just so damn accessible and more addictive than nicotine.

There's loads more I could write about this record: it's just one of those which comes along and surprises you. It's a massively rewarding collection of music: every listen you give it, you'll pick something new up. A good example is on Exit Strategy: on first listen, you'll be hearing the massive, rolling riffs. On the next play, you'll pick up the hugely technical guitar intricacies sitting behind those waves of riff. On the third time round, you'll be able to focus a bit more on the vocal, which is prickly and aggressive, as well as gruff and raw.

I really, really enjoyed listening to this record. I'm ashamed to say I hadn't heard of Sea Of Storms before now, and this album came along and really surprised me. I'll certainly be catching them at The Fest later this year.