I was scratching my head for a while about what group to cover next. Should I look for some new-to-me group? No, I hardly have that kind of time a mere week before finals. Perhaps some more metal? Nah, I'm not interested in getting the blog pigeonholed into a single genre. ROTGM has done consecutive metal spotlights for too long now. How about some criminally unsung blues badassery? Now we're talking my language.
Introducing: The Blackwater Fever.
This Australian trio (formerly duo) have been steadily cranking out some of the darkest, most raw electric blues this side of...well, anywhere at this point, ever since their debut in late 2008. The Blackwater Fever are masters of their craft, namely the creation of languid, tar-black soundscapes. The instrumentation has this sort of effortless feel to it and a simplicity which belies the musicians' tremendous talent. The result is something truly hypnotizing while still often being as heavy as you can get without being labeled doom metal. There aren't self-indulgent guitar solos here, no frills or unnecessary motions, just pitch-perfect pitch-blackness. They've put out three albums and an ep of the stuff so far, with each effort getting progressively more polished and atmospheric. Seriously, if you're looking for something moody and down-tempo, give these folks a spin or two or fifteen. You'll be glad you did.
