Pinewalker are from the US and play sludge metal. This is their debut album.
Exploring the darkness of loss and the emotional impact/response of/to this, Migration contains 44 minutes of music that bares its soul as well as its fangs.
Sporting a beefy combination of sludge and stoner metal that’s occasionally bolstered by both doom and post-metal influences, Migration is a groovy, heavy, monster of an album. Despite its aggression and rampant heaviness, (as well as having some riffs that could flatten buildings), the music hasn’t forgotten why it came into being in the first place, and also succeeds in delivering emotional weight and nuanced feeling in places. This exists alongside the more straightforward riff-worship, of course, and the two sides of the band work well together.
Having three guitarists, all of which also contribute vocals, means that there’s plenty going on across the songs, and each one has its own personality and reason for being. Three guitarists also means plenty of opportunity for indulgence, and there are some first class solos to be found here.
Although I certainly enjoy the band’s more direct, punchy material, I like Pinewalker the most when they branch out and take on more progressive elements. This usually results in longer songs such as Maelstrom, the instrumental Space Witch, and closer The Thaw, all of which are probably my favourite cuts from this album.
Colourful, textured, full of powerful guitars, and boasting diverse vocal performances, Migration is an interesting, enjoyable, and engaging piece of work.
A recommended listen.
