:: At The Soundawn - Red Square: We Come In Waves

At The Soundawn

Initially released back in 2006, ‘Red Square: We Come In Waves’, the full-length debut effort from Italian (Modena based) post hardcore act At The Soundawn, has finally been picked up for a worldwide release through Lifeforce Records. Produced by renowned producer Riccardo ‘Paso’ Pasini at Studio 73 (who has also worked with Ephel Duath, The Secret, Sisthema and Slowmotion Apocalypse), ‘Red Square: We Come In Waves’ draws obvious influences from the likes of Neurosis, Isis, Cult Of Luna and Ephel Duath, all the while incorporating some original ideas into their overall sound. But while it all sounds intriguing and unique, At The Soundawn doesn‘t quite manage to pull it all off. The opener 'Slight Variations’ starts out impressive enough with a gradual build up of guitars and some solid growled vocals from Mirco Migliori, but it loses some of its momentum with the inclusion of lightweight clean vocals over some drifting and meandering atmospheric choruses. The subtle saxophone moments are well done, but certainly not done well enough to disguise the shortcoming in the song writing department. The faster and heavier ‘Submerged’ is a definite improvement in terms of structure, with the track retaining its consistency throughout the tempo changes and mixes of the atmospheric and the heavier elements, while the rock influences within ‘One Day Before’ and the lengthy ‘Phone Will’ also make for a strange hybrid sound that works for At The Soundawn. ‘Rain Falls’ sees a return to aggressive territory, while the closing track ‘Frames Of You’ is where At The Soundawn really shines, with the track‘s varying influences flowing far more naturally. At The Soundawn's debut offering isn't an ear shattering effort, but based on what they've shown on 'Red Square: We Come In Waves’; they definitely have some promise for the future.