epic rain - Dream Sequences

Epic Rain

​Dream Sequences
self-released; 2017

4.2 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Rebecca Rothschild

Recently I bought a new pair of combat boots, reverted most of my wardrobe back to black and find myself groaning as I walk up and down the long hallway of my condo. In a way you would think I was preparing to review Epic Rain’s latest album, Dream Sequences. Truth be told I think this album came to me just in time to act as a soundtrack to my current state of mind. Epic Rain is an interesting group in that they love to experiment in everything from underground hip hop to alternative. Dream Sequences is a gothic malaise of psych rock arrangements that only further encourage my often rotten mood.

As a nerd of many interests that range from video games to sci-fi and beyond I get the sense that nerds in particular will take a shine to this album. The hauntingly slow building, electronic tracks are the stuff that great horror video game franchises like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry thrive on.

It also reminds me of certain comic book artists like Simon Bisley who really know how to pile on the doom with just one page at their disposal. The vocals are slow and melodramatic, but in my opinion both vocalists are excellent performers. It’s over the top dreadful and I was all in.

I feel it’s important to admit, there will be a crowd who will feel the music is just too much and the vocals are overkill. While some may say “put down the shovel I’m sad!” I say “get the bulldozer! Let’s see how low we can go!” There is a very particular time and place for music like this, but those circumstances exist, at least in my life. This band had a very specific vision and they painted the atmosphere with a very precise brush to highlight every detail. I can’t help but respect their ability to home in on a mood and make my mind build the haunted castle stone by stone as I went down the track list.

Not all of the tracks were standouts for me, but there are so many that are just too damn good to ignore. When it comes to the instrumentals, the first track “Dream Sequence 1” right from the start took me to video game land. I was somewhere between Silent Hill and Deadspace.

My favorite lyrical song is without a doubt “Monday Morning.” I don’t care who you are, no one likes Mondays. I’m a work at home slob and I hate Mondays as much as the next comic strip fat cat. Monday sucks, and that song illustrates everything I and all of you feel about Mondays. It’s glorious. If you’re not a fan of the genre, you still need to at least purchase that song because it has a universal message that has global and maybe even intergalactic appeal.

​I don’t care that this album is laser focused to a specific crowd, Epic Rain was fully committed to it and I am sold. I am holding my breath for what comes next because it could be anything and that’s what makes this band so exciting.

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