Chrome Waves are a shoegaze/post-black metal band from the US and this is their third album.
The Rain Will Cleanse gives us a 41-minute journey into shoegaze-style post-black metal. The band’s style is essentially that of a heavier, post-blackened, shoegaze act. If you’re a fan of bands like Alcest, as well as acts like Varaha and Agalloch, and a touch of Anathema, then this is one you’re sure to want to check out.
This is music that drips with emotion, and Chrome Waves are very competent at channelling this into affecting songs that shimmer with bright melodies and emotive power. Every one of these six tracks gives of its best to the album, and each one offers its own intricate world to explore.
The songs are constructed out of prime emotive materials, and built up with the right amount of quality, memorable songwriting skills. The music has that curious shoegaze mix of concurrent upbeat/downbeat feeling that marks the style out, and it’s realised very well here. This duality allows for songs that are forlorn and despondent, but that also carry feelings of hope and promises for a better tomorrow. It’s a carefully judged balance to maintain, but the band manage to pull it off effortlessly.
The music is performed with passion and ability, and I like the little creative touches and nuances that the musicians bring to the songs. The singer has a great voice that I really like. Although performed in the clean ethereal shoegaze manner, his voice feels stronger and more imbued with power than is the norm for the style.
The Rain Will Cleanse is a high quality example of post-blackened shoegaze. If you like your music emotive and textured with a resplendent dark beauty, then the latest Chrome Waves is for you.
Highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 