FOR THOSE ABOOT TO ROCK: Riffs of Canada with The Weir (Calgary, Alberta)

By: Mark Tremblay

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 03/12/2017

Label: Sunmask Records

Even though the band's sound is slowly changing, riffs remain as important as they ever have and patience will eventually be rewarded, as the listener is pummelled by a leviathan sized riffs that only The Weir can deliver. 

“Detached” CS//DD track listing:

1). Weak with Rage

2). Below the Surface

The Review:

Calgary’s doom/post-metal giants The Weir return with an extremely bleak EP “Detached”. The Weir have taken away the delay guitar effects for a more raw focus that primarily features noise and plodding riffs. This EP is a welcomed introduction to what is likely to be a shift in sound for the band.

The EP opens with “Weak with Rage”; a slow burn of raw emotion that bludgeons the listener with dissonant riffs. The song is purposely slow to an effect; so slow and heavy that it creates this uniquely painful suspension for the listener. Patience will eventually pay off, however, as the listener is pummelled by a leviathan sized riff that only The Weir can deliver. Even though the sound is slowly changing, riffs remain as important as they ever have for this band.  

“Below the Surface” is by far the eeriest track ever produced by the band. The track is a variation on a theme that quickly develops into black metal. The bands mantra of playing slow and low is thrown out on this track. The Weir have taken this opportunity with “Detached” to experiment with other forms of heavy music. It’ll be exciting to hear where these elements are fleshed out on their next release.

“Detached”is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook