Back when I was at university a million years ago, I discovered that if I was feeling at all down the best way to get out of the funk was to play ‘No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith’ at the right volume. These days it tends to be Agoraphobic Nosebleed or Napalm Death, but there are some times when good old fashioned death metal is the right way to go, which is why I am currently listening to the one-man studio project where everything is handled by Pete Clarke who is probably best known as the singer in Belfast-based death metal outfit Strangle Wire (also ex-Condemned, ex-The Obscene Machine, ex-Abbattoir, ex-Zombified, ex-Devoured).
Pete states he has been influenced by early Six Feet Under, Cannibal Corpse, Obituary and Cancer, and that the songs are based on hooks and choruses and straightforward classic death metal styles, and he is totally correct. There is a commerciality within this, definitely assisted by vocals which are nearly intelligible, plus a lightness and space within the arrangements which are somewhat surprising. This is not as in your face as it might be, as it is a one-man project by someone who is primarily a singer as opposed to guitarist, so there is little in the way of excess and the result is a death metal album which makes me smile as opposed to leaving me horrified by what I have just heard. I am going to keep an eye on this band as there is a glimpse here of something which is very promising indeed and also has me wondering what his other bands are like. If you like your metal very heavy yet also palatable then give this a try as here is a band with more than a hint of Cryptopsy about them.
Rating: 7/10
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/corpsewaterband
https://www.facebook.com/grindscene/