Rainsound - Wreathed in Life

Rainsound

​Wreathed in Life
self-released; 2017

​3.6 out of 5

By Dom Eagle

Rainsound is a three-piece self-proclaimed “loud” and “emotional” (I’d have to agree) ambient rock/post-hardcore band based out of Lowell, MA. The band is comprised of Nick (vocals/bass), Dan (guitar/vocals), and Stu (drums). Their four-track EP entitled Wreathed In Life is their first album-styled release, as the band has put out a prior single earlier is the year (‘Thirty One’). The majority of their shows have been within Massachusetts or New Hampshire but they’re looking to tour very soon, so keep your eyes peeled.

​The EP opens with “A Letter From Yesterday.” Plinking piano sounds and warbling, collapsing synths all collide delicately and perfectly against one another. This is a deceptive opening, however, as screeching guitar chords burst into play half a minute into the piece with no warning. This explosive moment marks the true entrance of Rainsound. Brutal, gut-wrenching screaming from the vocalist tears into view and fights to be heard over the distorted electric guitar chords. There’s no traditional structure to the track, and I liked that. The noise drops away halfway through the track, inviting gentle and clean electric guitar, a slowly throbbing drum beat, warbling lead guitar and muffled screeching vocals somewhere far off in the distance. I never thought atmospheric metal could sound this good, unless you count Deftones as a metal band, but Rainsound proved me wrong on this track.

I had no idea what to expect from “Salt Stained Glass” given the unexpected opener. The listener is greeted by a pretty clean electric guitar arpeggio, a gently progressing drum beat, and the first bout of singing on the EP. There’s still a sense of aggression and power in this track, but it’s wrapped in a different package. The beat is frantic, as is the singing. There’s a raw power to the melody even if it is blissfully sweet. Random bursts of distorted guitar and screaming burst into the mix periodically, creating a jarring loud-quiet dynamic; but it weirdly works well. The singing and screaming vocals harmonize surprisingly well too. Everybody about this band is unexpected, and I like it.

“Lucy” opens like a love ballad. Warbling, atmospheric, reverberating electric guitar peacefully flitters on behind a gentle beat and emotive singing. You’d easily be deceived into thinking this was a gentle-natured band, but that’s the point. There are two sides here. The emotions are equally as raw with this band whether they’re sensitive and broken or aggressive and powerful. The female vocals were a beautiful addition to this track; the to-and-fro between the male and female really added to the hardcore-love-ballad feel of this track. There might not have been a distorted guitar in sight, but the vocals added all the electrifying energy any listener would need.

“The Scenery I Shared With You” closes the EP on a mellow note. Well, it opens on a mellow note. A quietly chugging guitar rhythm, warbling guitar leads, and tender singing all combine to create a gentle atmosphere, but the chorus, yet again, throws a curveball. Crashing drum cymbals, screeching guitar, and even more powerful singing all combine to create an anthem of a chorus. Once again, the melody is always there, of course; that’s what I like about this band. They never forget the importance of melody.

This was a good EP. The first couple of tracks were probably the strongest, in my opinion, but there was a lot to sink my teeth in a short space of time here. I look forward to seeing what these guys come up with next.

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