by Franco Cerchiari
– Sr. Columnist —
From Valencia, Spain comes The Third Grade and their autonomously released first full-length contribution to the Metal world, Deeper, Darker. This is a follow up to their 2013 EP The Garden of the Whispers which featured the complex, keyboard-heavy instrumental “The Twisted Side of Geometry.” Deeper, Darker is a collection of music that is best described as heavy, progressive, Gothic, dark, completely atmospheric, with huge lower end bass and drums, all accompanied by lofty vocals, layered multipart symphonic melodies, gorgeous piano and synthesizers, and crunching guitars. It is in parts gripping, in others creepy, in still others thought provoking, and in yet others, the music soars to the moon and beyond. Hints of Coheed and Cambria can be felt and heard, but for fans of the excellent Goth metal band Macbeth, as well lovers of Penumbra, Sinamore, Opeth, and Age of Silence, this needs to become part of your collected works.
The piano is a prominent part of Deeper, Darker, but what must be pointed out is that it is the soothing and in times nightmarish keyboards that give this collection of music the perfect blend of the haunting and the calming. The level of songwriting mastery shown by the songwriters knowing what it is that the piano (and synthesizers) can offer a song is truly excellent.
Opening with the short “The Call of Kharon,” which brings about imagery of fear and loneliness, gives way to track 2, “Closer,” a drum and keyboard heavy affair that gives one the eerie feeling of being far away from all that which you find comforting, and walking through a dark, abandoned house. “Closer” is a progressive, almost chilling melodic, crushing track where angelic vocal harmonies blend nicely with the tenor, and mid track a lush guitar solo is soothing, but at the same time burrows its way into the mind of the listener and there it stays. A rhythmic bass guitar thumps along while a double bass drum keeps the tempo steady. Listen as well to the Coheed and Cambria sounding “Blanket,” the beautiful piano of “Memories,” the almost futurist blend of the macabre, and the progressive vibe of “Triangle.” The almost 10-minute “Snowfall” and the way this song pitched and heaved with various tempos, feelings and passions, its keyboard solo, its intricate layers of music, and the sensational full complete sound that was “Snowfall,” was indeed this CD’s highlight, and the closing track was the touching, somber “Long Road Home,” that featured a stunning piano, with full vocal harmonies
The sound, for an independent release, is pretty good. The use of fuzzy, distorted guitars and bass was a great touch, the piano notes were crystal clear, and played with an excellent, light touch, almost giving feelings of listening to the classical masters, (particularly as heard on the closing track.) The vocals, while at certain times were difficult to discern, but a note must be made to the lyrics as they did tell a great story. A familiar theme was felt throughout, and that theme kept Deeper, Darker on track.
While only eight songs long, what Deeper, Darker may lack in length it more than makes up for in quality. This was a wonderful listening experience that fans of the dark, mysterious and eerie will fall in love with. It’s a rare thing when a band with so little recording experience can produce a collection of music that is so well written and then brought to life. The highest praise goes to the songwriters of The Third Grade, for when we as listeners can feel the same emotions that the songwriters were feeling when writing the songs – as is done here on this CD – the highest level of praise is given. Of course, totally useless American radio will ignore this CD, but this is was extremely well done, and it is a hope that The Third Grade comes to American shores to play the music of Deeper, Darker in person.
Genre: Gothic Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal
Band Members:
Jose Masia – piano, guitars, vocals
Daniel Castillo – bass, keyboards, background vocals
Sol Yamil – vocals
Rafa Saez – drums
Track listing:
1. The Call of Kharon
2. Closer
3. Blanket
4. Phoenix
5. Memories
6. Triangle
7. Snowfall
8. Long Road Home
Website: http://thethirdgrade.bandcamp.com/
Hardrock Haven Rating: 8.5/10
