Review: “Without Waves” by Underwater Father

Born from the desire to forge a sound that brings together the ferocity of Black and Death Metal with the emotional depth of darker Scandinavian styles, Underwater Father was formed in 2024 in Kotka Finland. Uniting musicians known for their works in Of Spite, The Declawed and Iliac Thorns to name but a few, their intention was to create a dark and captivating atmosphere from which to explore themes of birth, death and karma with a touch of dark humour the dampen the deep and philosophical burn. When it came of debut EP “Without Waves“, being musicians of experience they only turned to Saku Moilanen (Admire The Grim, Wolfheart, Blood Red Hourglass) at Deep Noise Studios to record the drums alongside mixing and mastering, recording everything else in house…

A classically meandering melodic riff introduces opening cut “Spiral Through” gently while also providing the fear that it will implode like a star collapsing under the sheer weight of its own gravity and it does so after just 24 seconds. The harsh vocals of Samu Haatainen and the Black Metal influenced drums of Joonas Nieminen delivering us from that calm before the storm like a small fishing vessel lost in giant swells. What the band do well is create distinctive movements within this opening cut, pushing towards Blackened Progressive Death Metal with sinister intent while making good use of their powerful rhythm section. That powerful statement piece that feels like a warning is then echoed with “Drowned“, a second punishment beating soaked in melancholia but this time with more of a Black Metal influence vocally. Almost tribal drum patterns in the mid section offer a little respite from the bloodthirsty tirade but the band soon return to the heavier guitars and brutal roars, a moment with a bit of pomp and circumstance to it perhaps channelling an Obscura influence. Rising to an Extreme Metal styled grand finale that feels like it was lifted from a Cradle Of Filth demo makes for an interesting move while also being one that is carried in sublime fashion. “My Name is Your Name” floats in the same pool of blood and ecstasy, devious rhythms embellished with bright and yet sinister lead guitars. Vocally Samu Haatainen switches between several styles, this death growls matched stride for stride by his shriller cries and some gruff cleaner moments. The musicianship throughout is impeccable, tempo changes executed seamlessly with divine power. “Avichi” has a little more chaos to its violent turbulence, the intense riffs of the first half breaking into some groove laden swagger in the mid section. Escaping into a realm of thunderous blast beats makes for glorious final verse and in all honesty if these Gentlemen aren’t on your Christmas card list before listening to this then they sure as hell will be now [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Spiral Through
2. Drowned
3. My Name is Your Name
4. Avichi

“Without Waves” by Underwater Father is out 29th April 2025 via Inverse Records and is available over at bandcamp