Soul Attrition is a one man post-rock band from the US and this is his debut album.
The man behind this band also plays in the wonderfully alternative/sludgy Escape Is Not Freedom, so I knew I had to give this one a listen.
Vashon Rain is a real mix of genres and styles. With a few different elements of alternative metal/rock, grunge, sludge, doom, and post-metal thrown in, it’s an enjoyable and diverse listen.
This album seems to be formed from influences mainly taken from the 90s. I can hear elements of bands such as Helmet, Fudge Tunnel, Nirvana, Godflesh, Neurosis, Smashing Pumpkins, Deftones and many others across the 39 minutes of music on Vashon Rain.
With a dark, dank base of emotive alternative metal/grunge, the songs sound like they have been locked in a damp basement for a few decades, only now being let out into the light. I mean this in a complimentary way, as the artist behind this project really has captured the essence of a certain subset of music from the 90s era. This is, of course, added to by some more contemporary influences, which ultimately has resulted in an album that could really have been released at any point in the last decade or so.
There are some enjoyably chunky riffs on this release, combined with a melodic component that may be born of the underworld, but is no less affecting because of this.
The vocal delivery is relatively diverse, with the artist’s voice showing a decent range of styles. I do prefer some over others, but I don’t dislike any of them. His performance suits the music and its mood well, and he focuses on providing an emotive delivery which works very nicely indeed.
Well-recorded, well-written, and well-performed, not only does Vashon Rain not sound like a lot of music that is readily available in 2018, but it’s an overall high quality listen too.
Yep, I really liked this. Give it a listen.
Wonderbox Metal 