Review: Gray Ghost – Deep In the Shallow End EP (2009)

Atlanta’s own Gray Ghost are out to harvest despair and nihilism, at least that is the sound that is evolked from their new EP, Deep In the Shallow End. Creating atmosphere through a sludge metal record is an art within itself, because you don’t want to sound like you are trying too hard by just playing down tuned riffs very slowly, and you don’t want to sound pretentious by making a carbon copy of Saint Vitus records because no one else could possibly create music as well as they did. Gray Ghost is in a decent place, harnessing a solid atmosphere that is much more akin to punk than classic doom, which is awesome, because I can’t help but think of sludge masters, Melvins, and really, who else is better to be compared to with this type of music?

Gray Ghost aren’t original, let’s get that portion out of the way. Their music, as I alluded to, is a much slower, darker and less playful version of Gluey Porch Treatments from Melvins, combined with the stoner spirit of Electric Wizard and Kylesa. However, this is definitely not a bad thing. Deep In the Shallow End is an intense slab of metal that any fan of the above mentioned bands should definitely have a go at. Muddy, nihilistic riffs filled with pained, distant harsh vocals. This is definitely not Saint Vitus, and that’s not a bad thing either. The punk attitude of “simple is better” is very prevalent with this release, and to me, that makes the best sludge, which in itself is an even more downtuned, simpler version of doom metal with stoner tendencies. Gray Ghost know exactly what music they are setting out to create, and are probably very in tune with the scene they participate in.

Deep In the Shallow End is not a catchy record, which basically translates into it being good, but new hipster fans of Mastodon should steer clear; this is a sludge album for sludge fans, with marijuana being an optional accessory. I would definitely recommend this to long time fans of the genre, as well as open minded newbies.

GOOD

Top Tracks: Hold, Stay or Sleep

Similar Artists: Melvins, Electric Wizard, Kylesa, Bongzilla

1. Siberian
2. Saints
3. Hollowed Out
4. Stay or Sleep
5. Hold
6. Bed of Snakes
7. …

CJ
Sky
Chris
Corey

Chainsaw Safety Records

http://www.myspace.com/grayghostatl

Review by CODY