ALBUM REVIEW: Deadbird, "III: The Forest Within The Tree"

By: Pim Latuny

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 12/10/2018
Label: 20 Buck Spin Records

Deadbird has made a profound, meaningful, crushing record.

“III: The Forest Within The Tree” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. The Singularity

2. Luciferous Heart

3. Heyday

4. Alexandria

5. 11:34

6. Brought Low

7. Bone & Ash

8 Ending

 The Review

After ten years Deadbird is back with their third record called “III: The Forest Within The Tree”. A concept album? Maybe, and if you take a look at the mysterious but brilliant artwork that idea is confirmed again. More than four years they have worked on this album and they sound heavier, proggier and above all more dynamic.

The record has similarities with “Morningrise”by Opeth but with more doom/sludge metal influences. The acoustic parts are a nice contrast against the doomy guitar riffs and there are grunge and punk influences, especially when all the band members sing together. A band like Alice In Chains is obviously an influence, which is always a good thing. But don't be scared, Deadbird does not imitate them, they have their own sound and they realize that. The album contains eight songs and every song is packed with ideas that blend seamlessly, making each song a voyage of discovery. “Heyday” is a good example of this; without warning you are pulled into a deep forest where forest spirits show you the horrors of mankind: capped trees, dead rabbits and bears stuck in bear traps. “Alexandria”sounds like a battle song as if a forest warrior addresses his troops and “Bone & Ash” is a straight-forward sludge punk song.

The music is heavy and at the same time melancholic, and it is perfectly balanced. Just like the sound effects such as wind, insects or birds that are very subtly interwoven within the music. But the vocals are the icing on the cake. Without the scream, the grunt scream or the singing together, this record would be less awesome. It really gives a very dark autumnal atmosphere to this album.

Deadbird has made a profound, meaningful, crushing record. “III: The Forest Within The Tree”, can mean a lot, for me it stands for man's creativity, and how we can let that grow if we take the chance or get the chance to do so. And Deadbird certainly took that opportunity.

“III: The Forest Within The Tree” is available here

Band info: facebook|| bandcamp