Album Review: Shadow Limb – Burn Scar (Seeing Red Records)

Shadow Limb was formed in 2013 after La Fin du Monde, the long running instrumental band featuring all the same members, called it a day. The guys wanted to take a heavier more stripped down direction with Shadow Limb while maintaining all the dynamic shifts and genre bending that had been a staple with their instrumental band. Since 2013, Shadow Limb have played countless shows, released a 3 song EP The King is Dead ( on digital and cassette via Vulture Print ), and Mass and Power as a 12″ split LP with Squalus ( on Translation Loss ).

Now on the 11th October they will release their debut album, Burn Scar via Seeing Red Records.

Says Mike Crew of Shadow Limb:

The title Burn Scar pertains to some of the lyrics referring to scorched battle fields and villages, but also has a personal meaning to us as it’s something you hear a lot around here. We are all from Paradise, California which suffered the biggest wildfire in California history last November. We all still live nearby but luckily didn’t lose our homes. Friends and close family we’re not so lucky. It has been rough. Most of the town is a “burn scar” – ironically though, all the lyrics that were written for the album were written before the fires.

The past instrumental side of the band is what dominates the opener Asger Arisen but like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, Shadow Limb unveil their growth with the arrival of aggressive and brain-scratching vocals. A complex opener with changes that open the mind up wide, the melodic drop and clean vocals is unexpected but welcome.

Maelstroms Rebirth is even more challenging. The riffs whipping up a storm while the melodious rhythm works alongside the vocals to scar the mind. Watered Down Alby’s bass is super-impactful, the heaviness of it cutting through any malaise & the more laid-back segment ensuring there is room to take a breath.

Mellow at first, You Blew It gets really meaty with its riffs, delivering a really impressive instrumental number. Whereas Cry Off is a shorter, more doomy effort that creates a cold atmosphere.

Something that is followed up by the eerie opening chant of Cleanse of Ire, a deliciously dark track as the tempo increases and it gets heavier. Enlightenment almost reached, the apex of of Shadow Limb’s metal journey culminates with Rudiger, his name is not important and Line of Descent. Both equally powerful as they light up the night sky with a mind-bending showcase of dour and sour heaviness.

Shadow Limb – Burn Scar Full Track Listing:

1. Asger Arisen
2. Maelstroms Rebirth
3. Watered Down Alby
4. You Blew It
5. Cry Off
6. Cleanse Of Ire
7. Rudiger, his name is not important
8. Line of Descent

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook