Kentucky metalcore band Greyhaven is a name you need to know right now. Their new full-length, Empty Black, is quite possibly an AOTY candidate even though we’re not even halfway through the year just yet. While Greyhaven is heavily reminiscent of genre torchbearers like Botch, The Bled, and even Norma Jean, what the band is able to do on Empty Black is stunning work indeed.
On album standout “Blemish”, you really get the feeling Greyhaven is one step away from completely losing their shit with a world-ending breakdown, but that moment never quite comes. Still, it’s these kind of left turns that keep the listener on their toes on Empty Black. This organized chaos is juxtaposed with tracks like “Echo & Dust, Part 1”, which channel everyone from mid-period The Bled, letlive’s early work, and even mid-period Deftones with their dissonant chords and hauntingly accessible melodies. There’s even an 18 Visions-style breakdown in the song, which really speaks to both the band’s obvious musical influences, as well as their broad sonic palette that’s used to great effect. In other words, they don’t sound like a copy of their influences – they simply expand on them.
It’s on the final track, “Echo & Dust, Part II”, where Greyhaven really sounds like they’re playing life-affirming music. The final, sludge-metal influenced song is a truly jaw-dropping track that eventually fades out into ambience. The way the band balances these quieter moments with poise and intelligence show that they’re well on their way to greater things.
Greyhaven, in short, is a standout band that aren’t merely content to recycle what was popular in 2003. No, they’re on their way to redefining what heavy music can actually be – chaotic, melodic, and most of all, exciting.
