The idea of post metal is really a huge thought for me because I always imagine bands using so much technology and shit to create these other worldly sensations. Bands like Minsk truly transport you to those lonely corners of your subconscious, but not all post metal is such. The core style of the genre is to use unconventional instruments to create unique sounds and it doesn’t have to be so overwhelming. Stabbed is the kind of band that takes the core concept of one genre, this case being post metal, and then will proceed to merge it with another, and in this case that would be alternative metal.

Now that sounds pretty dull or not a whole lot: post-alternative metal. Seems like something too simple and not as coordinated as other genres, and you’d be right. There’s honestly not a whole lot of complication going on in Stabbed’s debut EP “Submerge” is a riff filled album that for the most part is the alternative metal, but the post does peek its head out every now and then. When it does happen to show up it is very well done as it matches the style of Stabbed very nicely as its both ominous and a little intriguing to only slide right into some smooth vocals. That’s another thing, too: the vocals. There’s two sets of them with one being smoother and the type that’s more associated with alternative metal so there’s a good sense of melody and flow right there, but then they will switch to a more harsh set that to me is reminiscent of sludge metal which gives “Submerge” a very solid edge to it that would’ve been lacking from this five track EP otherwise. It’s that little bit more than really makes this album a lot more than if it were just a plain post-alternative album. And if that isn’t enough for your needy ass then maybe you’ll enjoy the second half of the album which is a completely instrumental version of “Submerge” which also works very well compared to other attempts by bands, so if you don’t like the vocals but do for everything else there you go.

By the end of this debut though, I can honestly say that Stabbed did not disappoint even a little bit for me. “Submerge” was a different, yet familiar experience that I’m glad to experience every now and then but not a whole lot. Lots of improvement to be had with this band, and I’ve no doubt that they’ll get better and I wanna be there when they really get the right sound for an album.

LISTEN to “Submerge” on Bandcamp here or via Spotify here.

LIKE Stabbed on Facebook here.