Sunday 22 March 2015

The Pod - Land Of Bread And Water (Album Review)

Land of Bread and Water cover art

Album Type: Album
Date Released: March 8th 2015
Label: Self Released

Land Of Bread And Water – Track Listing

1.Of Bread and Water 06:11
2.Lifegiver 03:40
3.Folded Eyes 04:00
4.The Alarmist Was Drowning 04:13
5.Premonition II (Scars Can Be Saved) 04:05
6.Work Through Work 05:02
7.And This Is Where We Part Ways (ft. Matt Stevenson) 08:21

Bio

Scott Endres of Sludge/Post-Metallers – MAKE – Ambient/Doom Solo Project

Members

Scott Endres - vocals, guitar, synthesizers, samples, beats

w/
Matt Stevenson - drums, beats, samples
Spencer Lee - bass

Review:

I've featured Scott's solo project – The Pod – a few times and I consider myself a fan of his experimental/drone/ambient/doom/electronica/doom solo project. Some of you may know Scott from Chapel Hill Sludge/Post-Metal band – MAKE. A great band in their own right.

This is The Pod's 8th release overall. If you're a fan of Jesu, Godflesh and Tribes Of Neurot then The Pod will speak massive volumes to you. As Scott has created an album that leave you in trance from beginning to end as the mood ventures from Ambient based Industrial Synths to the more heavier Drone based Doom Metal variety with bleak vocals to match.

There's no point doing a song by song review as this album should be experienced as one epic song. It's a breathtaking and adventurous work from one of Sludge/Post-Metal's highly talented individuals. The way Scott blends different noises and sounds can be considered an art form as he makes real passionate music to lose yourself in. You can feel the texture and density of the heavy synthesizers that leave you in a bleak state. Scott doesn't play by the rules so some people may find this album very hard to listen. And truth be told it is a very hard album to listen to. If you're a fan of Ambient/Drone albums then you will find much to admire here.

Scott doesn't create music to impress people with. He creates music for the sheer love of it all. He's very highly regarded in his home town and the Sludge Metal scene in general. It's been a while since MAKE released any new material so Scott has focused all his creative energy into The Pod. I'm always glad to hear new music from Scott and I'm a huge fan of his work but I'm hoping we will see new material from MAKE as this album made me remember the heavier riffs that I first encountered Scott's work. But I'm digressing – Fans of John Carpenter soundtracks will get a kick out of this album as well especially on the brilliant last track – And This Is Where We Part Ways – as it has a slight throwback feel to that legendary director's musical output. Or that could be looking far too much into things.

If you want something different to test your resolve with then this album comes highly recommended. It won't be to everyone's tastes but if you have the patience for this then you will richly be rewarded with a stunning musical experience. Check it out as the album is available to buy now on BandCamp Buy Now.

Excellent and Highly Recommended

Words by Steve Howe

For More Information