Rise Of The Wood – Discharge

 

 

Rise Of The Wood – Discharge
Self-released / Hard Life Promotion – 2025 
Metal, Stoner, Groove
Rated: ****

Almost ten years ago we mentioned the self-titled album by Dutch five piece Rise Of The Wood. Two years later they followed it with the excellent First Seed and then it wasn’t till 2023 before the Sleep EP was released. That turned out to be the prelude for the new twelve track album Discharge. It features the three songs from the Sleep EP and another nine concise modern metal tracks. Sleep was of course the first recordings with the new vocalist and Discharge features a new bass player as well. A doom toned Intro starts, segways into more of a metal approach, imploring nineties guitar and immediately offering insights into what is to come. Although Eyes Wide Shut immediately, ups the ante, ups the speed and even sounds like melodic groove thrash, especially, once the vocals enter the track. Opening the album with an anthem for pit kings is definitely a statement. And one they continue to live up to as the album envelops you. Skin continues that declaration with even more power, shoving you left and right, as the vocals cut straight through the middle. And that drum work! There’s a beast at work here. Dead Man Walking brings out the swagger, the grunge influences and turns the vocals and shouting Rise Of The Wood choir into a moment of sheer brilliance. If you weren’t addicted by those first two tracks, this one will have you hook, line and sinker. They’re nearing perfection on this one. Blasting out of the gates next is Underground, steamrolling like an eighteen wheeler, slaying metal riffs and pounding drums, will have you breaking your neck, and the sudden return to a catchy pop sensible chorus, and a melodic climb will surely warp your mind for a moment. But that’s what Rise Of The Wood seems to do quite often. Not going for the obvious option but keeping the listener on its toes. Imagine the voice of that dude that mixes Johnny Cash and Metallica singing Sleep and you have a song that would be better than most of that band's later work. Sleep, singular in execution, really picks up with its addictive personality once the vocals have gone round twice, the chorus has come and gone and the riff train that never stops, heads off into the distance. It's the longest track on the album, with a wonderful break and offering insights into what aces the Rise Of The Wood crazies have up their sleeves. And with seven more of those conquering metal tracks on Discharge, you can safely state this is chockfull of dominating metal, always groovy and with loads of melodic and catchy takes that deserve every bit of your attention. Shit, these Rise Of The Wood really delivered something awesome here! Not sure when or how this rag tag team known as Rise Of The Wood became this highly professional and accomplished sounding metal outfit. But it happened and Discharge is the proof! 

(Written by JK)

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