Blackwater Drowning are a melodic death metal band from the US and this is their debut album.
Featuring a member of Final Curse, Blackwater Drowning play melodic death metal with good riffs, hooks, and vocals. Sonder//Satori contains 33 minutes of material, and ably showcases what the band are capable of a in a tight, professional package.
The songs are sleek and well-written. The band exist on the heavier side of the melodic death metal spectrum, while also retaining an accessibility that the style is famed for. Think of a mix of bands such as Darkest Hour, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Arch Enemy, combined with elements of bands such as, Cadaveria, At the Gates, and Decapitated.
There are plenty of decent riffs throughout the songs, as well as some good guitar solos, which I always like to hear. Sharp grooves are juxtaposed against faster paced bludgeonings and blast beats, providing variety of delivery. The music strikes a balance between melody and heaviness, resulting in songs that take strengths from both aspects of the style.
The singer’s blackened rasp cuts through the music well, and clean singing adds emotive depth when it’s used. Both are well-performed.
Sonder//Satori is an enjoyable debut album with some good tunes. If you’re a fan of the bands mentioned above and you want a passionate and well-executed example of the style, then check out Blackwater Drowning.
A recommended listen.
Wonderbox Metal 