A style that’s always been incredibly hit or miss for me has been post-metal with how you can easily lose yourself in the immersive atmosphere yet find yourself going in circles with the music not really progressing or just becoming stale. Hence, I don’t really tend to go to post-metal even though I love pieces like “The Crash and the Draw” from Minsk, but tonight I sat down and set my mind on finding something I can enjoy. Turns out the debut album from this single man act from Chicago gave me exactly what I’ve needed.

I’ve always been the kind of guy that enjoys it when a band can take a “basic” style, in this scenario it’s post-metal, and bring in some elements from different, sometimes even unexpected, places across the world of music. Soul Attrition seemed to have known what I wanted as they did just that with “Vashon Rain” bringing in the two big outside influences from places I enjoy: post-rock and sludge. Sure, molding together the worlds of post-metal and post-rock can be incredibly easy, but that doesn’t take away its potency in the right situation and Soul Attrition pulls it off splendidly! With the addition of sludge, however, “Vashon Rain” manages to attain a solid edge to these seven tracks that aren’t as up front as the post elements, but its potency is just enough that you can feel it reverberate throughout the record. All that brought together makes for an interesting listening experience that’s definitely new for my ears and something that I can easily see myself coming back to. While there are very small, understandable fumbles sprinkled across the record, Soul Attrition allows “Vashon Rain” to become a unique entity that I’ve had the pleasure of coming across in recent months, and I’ve confidence that this niche sound will find the niche crowd that will give it the proper attention soon after the record’s release.

Every style has a band that I enjoy from grind to thrash and post-metal has been limited to the aforementioned Minsk, but now I have a new act that I definitely need to keep my eye on. In time I’m positive this act will grow into a force to be reckoned with, and I’m positive that “Vashon Rain” will show new listeners the intrigue and wonder behind its tasteful seven tracks.

“Vashon Rain” releases on July 13th!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Vashon Rain” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Soul Attrition on Facebook here.