Rise Above Dead
Heavy Gravity

The answer for Rise Above Dead is subtraction. We don't know if they are brilliant mathematical minds, but if there's one thing these guys from Milan excel at, it's the ability to completely change form from one release to the next. Since 2010 with "Human Disintegration", they have set themselves the not-so-simple challenge of constantly evolving towards something that can build a precise identity, despite their chameleon-like flair. It's in this spirit that, from their crust-hardcore roots, they arrive at "Heavy Gravity", passing through a very valid first full-length like "Stellar Filth", which had hinted at great future prospects. So, you may ask, how does subtraction come into play? Well, simply put, little to nothing remains of that primordial sound of the origins, but even the post metal/sludge of the next release had to be refined, and Rise Above Dead's answer is to remove the vocal component. The instrumental horizon opens up. It's a turning point, pushing the group into new scenarios. Goal achieved? I would say so.

The man standing in the middle seems to be Dr. Manhattan from Alan Moore's Watchmen, and the sound fully embodies the atmosphere of a beautiful space trip. One could always ask for a re-edition of Interstellar with their soundtrack, Hans Zimmer permitting. Joking aside, once the typical roughness of hardcore is forgotten, it doesn't mean there were concessions in terms of the energy released. The riffs are still powerful and have inevitable references to Cult of Luna, AmenRa, Isis, and the like, but this is not a mere copy/paste. There's plenty of inspiration, in droves, also thanks to a fluidity in trying to intertwine the two entities that have always distinguished Rise Above Dead. The first seeks to march unerring and resolute, as if marching in a scorching desert, and the other opens the gaze precisely towards the starry skies, transcendentally characterizing the landscapes drawn by the dense guitar weaves. The winning edge of "Heavy Gravity" comes from the ability not to get lost too much in overly cerebral structures, but to stay on rather direct and impactful coordinates, showcasing great songwriting that forms the backbone of a journey balanced between delicate moments with post-rock surges and apocalyptic scenarios between reality and parallel dimensions. It's about closing your eyes and letting yourself be transported by a certain surreal psychedelia that manages to explode with great force on more than one occasion, under the weight of granite rhythms and compelling accelerations.

Reflective melodies blown away by waves of emotional sonic escalations ensure that Rise Above Dead can precisely calibrate their shot and reach the end of "March of the Locust" without noticing the time passed, also helped by a not-too-lengthy runtime that does not get lost in unnecessary frills, hitting the target, engaging from start to finish, and building a fascinating visionary context. Despite it being only their second full-length, our guys, not that we expected anything else, have showcased once again a remarkable maturity and personality that in a sometimes oversaturated genre, is not easy to bring out. Keep it up. One could say sky's the limit, but Rise Above Dead have been traveling beyond for a couple of years now, defying gravity.