A dense creation that offers immense power as well as contrast to offer a multi-dimensional experience is something that metal can easily hide, but the exceptional acts are never able to be truly hidden for long. It’s particularly in the realm where sludge and doom crossover that we can often find efforts that are the very definition of unyielding, and constantly looking to out-do each other in one way or another. Where it tends to be in raw heaviness that many seek to outperform their competition, bands like We Follow the Earth seek to challenge themselves above all else. Despite putting out its first album not even a full year ago, We Follow the Earth returns with a performance that transforms practically all that came before it in stupendous fashion.

Self-improvement is the sort of thing that drives bands to become the best that they can possibly be with it often being right alongside raw inspiration that can really propel a band forward. While I cannot truly speak for what goes on behind the scenes of We Follow the Earth, it’s clear that last year’s performance, “Lightbearer”, was just the beginning for this trio whose sludgy doom certain garnered some attention, but not enough in my opinion after revisiting the creation. With all that experience taken into account, the sheer massive presence of “Extinct” is nothing to be taken lightly. A lumbering creation that brings more than enough justice to this particular sound, “Extinct” holds sixth titanic tracks, only one of which clocks in less than seven minutes long, that are just as dense as one would expect from the sound but never once does it miss the opportunity to add in more than a little bit of light and splendor into its volumes to add powerful contrast. Drawn-out riffs paired tremendously with undeniable atmospheres and more than enough power to crack the very sky, what We Follow the Earth has accomplished here should not be looked down upon in any form. This is what sludge-doom is always capable of in the right hands with “Extinct” proving time and time again that the hands of We Follow the Earth are more than certainly the right hands.

While far from breaking stylistic barriers of any kind with this album, there’s no denying the passion and tenacity that has been summoned to make “Extinct” such a formidable performance. The progression of We Follow the Earth already so early on in their run is something to be admired from top to bottom, and I can only imagine things getting better as time goes on.

“Extinct” releases on March 1st!

LISTEN to We Follow the Earth on Bandcamp here.

LIKE We Follow the Earth on Facebook here.