Album Review: Fostermother - The Ocean
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
You know it’s going to be a good day, when The Razor’s Edge HQ send you another album from the majestic label that is Ripple Music. It's rapidly becoming synonymous with an outstanding array of talented artists, and the consistency is second to none.
I first became aware of Fostermother last year, whilst reviewing one of their stable mates at Ripple Music, and was instantly pulled in by such awesome tracks as 'Destroyers' and 'Fathoms' and their potent blend of fuzzy desert rock appealed to my senses. And now, the follow up to their eponymous debut album is upon us and as expected, it’s a full on ripsnorter.
'The Ocean' is a 9 track behemoth which is a rumbling mass of dark, heavy, fuzzy goodness, uncompromising in its ability to drag you into the darkest alleys of the human soul. The Houston doom metallers, led by multi-instrumentalist Travis Weatherred, have crafted songs that are “largely about dealing with depression and isolation” and opening track “Sunday” opens softly before the music pulls you into a dark void, forcing you to be alone with your thoughts and letting the music take you on a ride.
Weatherred is ably assisted by Stephen Griffin, pounding his way through the songs on bass, whilst Jason Motamedi, provides the metronomic drumming, that pierces your soul in every song. This is an album which “speaks to individuals who would eagerly trade everything and everyone in the pursuit of their own self-interest”
Tracks like 'Dark Desires' pull at your heart strings, as its full of drama from the outset, the riff is just sublime, bass line awesome, and drumming totally on point, the middle section, slow and sinister, before it comes back to life, whereas 'Unholiest of Days', just goes at you from the outset, you will feel your body shake with this one, as it’s an audible treat, the middle section riff is just on fire, and you’ll be banging your head along in no time.
Nothing typifies Fostermother better than the song 'The Ocean', as it’s a song that really makes you wonder about isolation in society. Whilst listening to it, you can visualise floating on a raft in the middle of a stormy Atlantic Ocean, clinging on for your life whilst drifting aimlessly, wondering where life is going to take you as you lack desire to take care of yourself.
This album hits the spot from the off and really doesn’t let go, dark, eerie and scary in parts, whilst caressing your soul in equal measure, the poignant final track 'Solitude' typifies this, but after listening to this superb album, you will be part of their Fosterfamily, and it’s a family that is set to grow and grow and grow, as this album should be a platform for greater success.
