Dryland's highly anticipated second album, "Weekend in the Swamp," is a spellbinding odyssey through realms of heavy metal and post-apocalyptic fantasies. This album, released back in October 2023, marks a significant evolution in the band's sonic landscape, showcasing their prowess in crafting intricate, atmospheric compositions that leave a lasting impact.
Dryland’s self-titled album was an already epic masterpiece of Black Sabbath meets Jaye Jayle in the post-apocalyptic future proportions that very much deserved to be on repeat in every pair of headphones possible. Somehow "Weekend in the Swamp" ups the game with finger-tapped arpeggios, organs, guest vocals, and textures galore. These are very much people that know and love each other and very much respect each other’s abilities while pushing them further, living the definition of Dryland Family Band.
Featuring a tracklist that includes mesmerizing songs like "Haunt The Hearts of Men," "Monomyth" (with guest vocals by Violet Blum), and "In Living Memory" (featuring guest guitar by Ray Blum), "Weekend in the Swamp" is a journey into darkness and redemption. Bradley Lockhart's mesmerizing vocals, paired with the dual-Ryan guitar attack, Hollie Huthman's thunderous bass, and Aaron Ball's relentless drums, create a tapestry that both lives within and transcends heavy subgenres.
Recorded by Rich Canut 3 and mixed by Matt Bayles, the album's production quality is top-notch, allowing each instrument to shine while maintaining a cohesive and immersive sound. The cover art by Bradley Lockhart complements the music's themes, adding visual depth to the listening experience.
In terms of sound, Dryland draws comparisons to iconic bands like Black Sabbath, Kyuss, and Danzig, but they carve out their own unique identity with elements of post-rock, hardcore, and noise. The lyrics, rich with imagery and storytelling, transport listeners to otherworldly landscapes while tackling themes of revenge, existentialism, and the human condition. How can I explain this...Dryland is a triangle. One point is the aforementioned dual-Ryan guitar attack of Ryan Clapper and Ryan Greer. That point is faced by the tight as a seaworthy chest rhythm section of Hollie Huthman and Aaron Ball…both points are on the same level in the same way that people sit opposite from each other at a table, but also face each other down with sneers like teams of mercenaries after the same target, but both points united by the third which is vocalist Bradley Lockheart, who, while placing his battle ax upon the blood and ale soaked table, reminds them that the prize is glory and riches enough for all with an impassioned tale of triumph and song…and into battle they go, the triangle points sharpened on all sides, ready to stab through the hearts of enemies for the glory of which generations to come will sing.
Dryland's 'Weekend in the Swamp' is a haunting masterpiece that demands repeated listens. I'm feeling like the term “haunting” has been ruined by influencers and clickbait authors, but this album legitimately haunts me…it lives in the dreams that come after a windstorm that blows the branches around one’s neighborhood and knocks out the power. It lives in the candles clumsily dug out of the drawer also housing can openers, rubber bands, a rabbit’s foot, masking tape, and three swiss army knives all missing the toothpick. It creeps from the smoke, taking residence in the curtains while I doze off as the wind dies only to pin me down in the sleep paralysis that comes when I wake too quick after the sounds of cats clawing each other’s eyes out…eyes that still stare at the full moon, never to blink again. That’s how this album haunts. It’s also really heavy, but I’ve included enough metaphors.
So...here it is- from the eerie melodies to the thunderous riffs, this album grips you and doesn't let go. It's heavy, it's atmospheric, and it's an absolute must-listen for fans of dark, immersive music. Grab it here.