Into the Sea

Description

Into the Sea is an album by the American post-hardcore band Attalus, released on Facedown Records in June 2015. The album was recorded at Sonicboost Studio and Warrior Sound in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mixed by Michael Watts at Vudu Studios in Port Jefferson, New York. Edit by Frank Mitaritonna and Tom Happel at Vudu Studios.

Featuring Evan King on keyboards, guitar, bass, and vocals; John Sierra on guitar; and Chris Sierra on drums and vocals. (John Amos is sitting in on bass on track 3.)

The sea is in reference to God and grace is the overall theme. The last song of the album is «Message in a Bottle». The last lines are a summary of the whole album and the song «Death be not Proud». The big lyrical theme is the sea being judgment. The first half of the album is pre redemption and Into The Sea comes as a decision to follow Christ. From then on the sea is peace and rest. The sea is the Father and our position with Christ changes our position with the Father. The ship is our human life and our attempts to control it. The judgment in the first half of the album is pointed at humanism and man’s self righteousness to rectify all the wrongs we see in the world. There is one line is «Desolate Isle» that says “we are judges yet we should be standing on trial. We are the ones that make this world a desolate isle. We are the problem – every father every mother every child.” We are a very proud people that think we can save ourselves, which cannot happen. – Attalus

Unlike many bands signed to Facedown Records, this four piece outfit from North Carolina have a much softer approach to their rock. Keyboards swirl and wash over the listener to create a soundscape that is altogether more progressive than many of their label mates. Guitars still crunch, along with wrenched vocals such as in the hardcore inspired «Sirens», but these musical tools are used sparingly as a much more open and lilting approach is sought. «Man O Shipwreck» is a beautiful example where stripped back orchestration creates a vulnerable and haunting melody. At times this talented bunch reminds me of House Of Heroes with their ability to mix punchy tight rock with a much more affecting sound. In the style of a concept album, lyrics that reflect our need for saving from ourselves are poignant and cutting. Seth Davey repeats, “Are we so righteous, we can make all the wrongs right?” as a refrain in «Desolate Isle». The inventive «Voices From The Shore» mixes a range of styles that play off one another to pick up what could have been an ignored tail to the recording. Beautiful, moody, moving and sensitive, this is a recording that at its best demands your attention, but can also outstay its welcome as some of the material included could have been lost without affecting the overall feel and message of the package. [Ian Webber, Cross Rhythms, October 2015]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/into-the-sea/985794826)

CD tracklist:

01. The Ancient Mariner
02. This Ship Is Going Down
03. Sirens
04. Desolate Isle
05. Man, O Shipwreck
06. Step Out
07. Albatross
08. The Breath Before The Plunge
09. Into The Sea
10. Coming Clean
11. O The Depths
12. Voices From The Shore
13. Safe
14. The Greater Tide
15. Death Be Not Proud
16. Message In A Bottle

Note: Released on both CD and 12-inch vinyl LP.

---