Grind The Ocean

About

The London-based quintet The Safety Fire is one of very few bands that are accelerating innovations in the progressive metal genre. Its 2012 album <i>Grind the Ocean</i> opens by dropping huge hammers (with the aptly titled “Huge Hammers"). As guitarists Joaquin Ardiles and Derya Nagle build a continuously ascending helix of complexly braided leads, supported by heady arrangements, drummer Calvin Smith and bassist Lori Peri propel the sonic inertia as if they were firing on rocket-fueled jets. But it’s Sean McWeeney’s blend of throat-grating shrieks and melodic singing that stands out. He gives his singing a dose of matured restraint—only letting himself lose control when the songs call for it. “Floods of Colour” follows, with an anxiety-building spiral of continuous motion so tense it feels like the band members are simultaneously exhaling by the time the chorus kicks in. The closing title track simmers down with prog inspired by early Yes.

via Apple Music