Tombs Tombs

Although the Tombs moniker may sound unfamiliar, a number of metal and hardcore fans have already had an adequate introduction to the group through the work of the now defunct band, Anodyne. Tombs is the newest project of ex-Anodyne vocalist/guitarist Mike Hill, and while the writing style is far from Anodyne's noisy, metallic hardcore, Hill's distinctive vocals and a similar wall-of-sound type approach serve as a nice lead in to the band. But one thing is certainly clear: this EP might be a debut, but the maturity and songwriting talent heard on this disc unmistakably reflects the credentials of veterans of the heavy music scene. Tombs' approach can be likened to a mixture of Anodyne's more abstract material with strong Neurosis overtones. It is undoubtedly sparser and more instrumentally driven than Anodyne's work, sometimes bordering on a psychedelic sound, courtesy of well-written, monolithic guitar lines. A strong rhythm section rounds out the group, firmly rooting each track with abrasive bass lines and reasonably inventive, but still complementary drumming. "Fountain of the World 666" begins with howling, Neurosis-esque guitar work accompanied by Hill's gritty yells, and eventually locks into a forceful climax chock full of dissonant riffing. "Darker Than Your Nights" explores a more minimalist sound, beginning with dark atmospherics and leading into a passage of subdued melody. The song then erupts into a sludgy catharsis with coarse vocals and powerful drumming before concluding with a noisy riff of mammoth proportions. All seven tracks of this EP flow beautifully together, with the transitions between abrasive explosions and murky melody feeling perfectly natural. The production on the EP is yet another praiseworthy element. The disc exhibits the ability to maintain a naturally gloomy analog sound, yet still possess a balanced mix that prevents the instruments from sounding muddled. Finding the proper production to fit a band's sound can be quite difficult, so this achievement should not be overlooked. But then again, it's exactly what should be expected from those with a good deal of experience in the music scene. Either way, the combination of songwriting and production on this disc makes it one of the best EP's to hit the streets in 2007 (a Tombs vs. Bloodhorse cage match might be necessary to determine that crown). Bottom Line: Fans of Anodyne should be scrambling to order a copy of Tombs' debut EP. Sure, its sludgy, psychedelic lean is a bit different than Anodyne's previous chaotic formula, but the top notch musicianship and recording quality should make it desirable to a wide range of listeners. Tombs is just one more example that even in an unpredictable metal and hardcore world, there is no substitute for experience.