It’s more often than not that when I want to fall back into music and just let go of a lot of the troubles that tend to plague the mind, I will set out to find either some psychedelic rock, some soothing instrumentals, or a sort of atmospheric metal that I can just lean into without having to think about it. Post-doom is a style that I feel is ripe for such an occasion, but it’s not too often that I find myself coming across it, and that alone makes this split from Frozen Ocean and Heather Grave all the more interesting to dive right into.

I wouldn’t look at that sort of cover art and think I was in for some doom the likes of which would almost completely envelope my psyche with such a colorful curtain that would but all my astounding to witness as each song progresses with tremendous power and perfect executions. But it’s here that we aren’t treated to just one band that does it surprisingly well, but two. Both Frozen Ocean and Heather Grave have slightly different approaches to the overall sound with one having some strings of atmospheric black metal hidden within its depths while another embraced the post-metal elements even further, and they both pulled off their distinct approaches with immense talent. The whole of “Beyond Anemonautics” is colorful, dynamic, powerful, and impressive in its composition as both bands here a grand presence that exudes grandeur the likes of which only doom of this caliber can provide, and it is simply enrapturing, to say the least! There’s so much going on within all four tracks that it’s an absolute treat to just sink your teeth right into it without even having to think about it, and everything that both Frozen Ocean and Heather Grave is awesome to listen to should you just let it take your mind on a trip the likes of which only require you to close your eyes in order to truly immerse yourself.

Despite each band only having two tracks to call their own for all of “Beyond Anemonautics”, there’s no denying that every second of it contains what’s undoubtedly all the expertise that these acts can conjure up, and it keeps on giving at every single turn. Both Frozen Ocean and Heather Grave have made quite an impression with their split, and should there be more where this comes from I cannot help but suspect more greatness is to follow from both of these noteworthy bands.

LISTEN to “Beyond Anemonautics” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Frozen Ocean on Facebook here.