Flying Deadman – W.e.n.
France’s Flying Deadman offer a muscular take on progressive and post-rock. Pitch these boys somewhere in-between Explosions In the Sky and Deftones and you already have a fix on what Flying Deadman can offer. What they’re offering here is their new album, W.e.n. and I can honestly say it’s well worth an audition. Played loud, W.e.n. is a cathartic, and at times overwhelming experience. The power of the band immediately comes through. Yet I’ve lived with this album for a few weeks now and I can safely say it isn’t all about power rock. There’s an ambient side to Flying Deadman. A dreaminess and a sadness that permeates each of the six main songs. (There are three other mixes plus an additional bonus collaboration)
‘Why’, the opening track, is a powerful builder. ‘Sunday 12’ is far more atmospheric, all shimmery guitars and ominous bass. It rocks out towards the end but never gratuitously. It fits the mood perfectly. ‘Black Sun’ is borderline Industrial bringing film composer Graeme Revell to mind. ‘Drifting Alone’ is prettiest. You could imagine this in the hands of ExITS, and the title track which closes the main album is possibly the highlight.
Flying Deadman have achieved something here. For starters it takes a lot to impress me in the field of post-rock these days. Everything seems to have been done. (Probably hasn’t, but seems that way a lot of the time). But proof that W.e.n. must be a superb album can be found in the simple fact that I don’t normally go for loud, heavy progressive rock or metal. This record is in serious danger of converting me. The way that they’ve blended intricacies and mood into their work and the way these songs are crafted give Flying Deadman a distinct edge over their rivals.
~W.e.n. is out now on iTunes and via the band’s myspace. (Link below) The first album is available for free download.~