Supertanker: Songs From The Ashes

I’m not sure if this Supertanker got lost on the high seas, or if it spilt its cargo somewhere far off shore, but from what I can tell (and no press sheet arrived with this CD), Songs From The Ashes was actually released in 2014. So, what’s caused it to hit landfall with me some five years later, I’m not sure, but let’s guess that the success of their French countrymen (Gojira) has seen the band wonder if a second sailing will this time lead to a more fruitful destination?

Interestingly, what with the somewhat convoluted journey this album seems to have taken to this review, the sound it portrays delves further back in time than it once did, with a decidedly Far Beyond Driven era Pantera sound strongly in evidence on this convincing blast of traditional metal. Do you want your drums to rattle incessantly? Well, Jerome Farion would appear to be your man. This drummer has a double kick pedal and boy is he going to use it. In fairness it’s still a primed and ready weapon and one he understands the potency of; just as vocalist Cedric Vitry knows that gargled throat expulsions still (then, or now) have the ability to cause cowering at their merest introduction. However, it’s when the ‘vulgar’ holler and change of pace during “Inside� kicks into gear that you realise just how closely this lot have worshipped at the alter of Dimebag, Vinnie Paul, Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown. “Far� adds a more nasally whine that suggests the grunge years weren’t ignored either, but with a whip and pummel, don’t think we’re suddenly lessening the intensity - not one bit of it.

While “Antihero� does carry a blasting explosion and “We’re Dying By Our Hands� the sort of slow grind that could eventually disintegrate your skull, with so much water now travelling under the bridge since this sound first hit us, Songs From The Ashes can feel a little one dimensional. If, however, this Pantera fuelled explosion is where your heart resides, there’s little doubt that you’ll quickly slot into place with the sounds and message being portrayed. Is it spectacular? Not really, but that doesn’t stop Supertanker from being ‘fucking hostile’ and in fairness, that was their intention all along.

Track Listing
1. Temple Of Sin
2. Below Ground
3. Black Age
4. Meticulous Crime Against Ourselves
5. Eternity
6. Cold
7. In Fall We Trust
8. Inside
9. Far
10. Used
11. Antihero
12. We’re Dying By Our Hands
13. I Can’t Live Second Life

Added: February 24th 2019
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Supertanker @ bandcamp
Hits: 743
Language: english

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