Detailed Reviews [Webb - 2023 - "Deadly Sins And Virtues"]

Prolusion. UK band Webb appears to have grown out of the solo career of Ryan Webb, with the band's Bandcamp page showing various releases of Ryan Webb dating back to 2016 prior to seguing over to creations released using the Webb moniker instead. With the band's current formation dating back to the end of 2021, one might suspect that this is also the time when this venture transformed from a solo project into a band venture. "Deadly Sins And Virtues" is the band's debut album, and was self released in the summer of 2023.

Analysis. In terms of style and orientation, there's no doubt that this is a metal band. This is a heavy metal production through and through, and while obviously referencing the past of the form and style it is a more contemporary take on the good, old metal we get here. Key words throughout will be descriptions such as vibrant and energetic, with hard hitting, melodic and atmospheric laden following close behind. It is also a take on this landscape that comes with details that will be of interest for a more progressive metal interested audience. While the songs here aren't always as uptempo as one might get the impression that they are on initial listen, this isn't a band that slows things down all that much either, other than for some nice and planned effects on a couple of occasions. Mid-tempo to uptempo material is the order of the day here, and some good old effects such as having the drums maintaining a slower pace while the guitars go more uptempo are firmly in place, a detail that of course is most effective in terms of building tension and engaging the mind of the listener. Otherwise the riffs and the rhythms are tight and hard throughout, the vocals have a powerful yet also melodic presence, with occasional use of slightly more harsh vocals here and there, and occasional subtle keyboard details is an uncredited part of the experience too. The songs are generally engaging in a rich, hard and energetic manner, with everything being kept short and sweet without any superfluous details. Those with an interest in progressive metal will encounter many details that will be enjoyable too. On some songs the band ventures straight into the progressive metal universe with a number of tempo changes and a liberal amount of quirky instrument details and unusual but compelling instrument maneuvers. With the opening cut 'You're Going Down' as one of the better examples of this being the case. On other occasions we get more subtle but still intriguing details, ranging from a bit of a Tool-like undercurrent through to many different variations of quirky, off kilter or subtly unusual instrument displays. While all the instrumentalists provide various tidbits in those departments, I found myself intrigued by the drums in particular in this respect, with some nice expressive drum displays being a recurring element throughout this production. Otherwise I note that impact riff and rhythm details is an ongoing feature, and that fluctuating and circulating patterns are used to good effect and usually paired off with other features that contrast such elements to some degree or other. An additional recurring element throughout are occasional lapses into passages sporting a more contemporary variety of power metal. Mix and production comes across as impeccable throughout this album, adding that additional layer of varnish that manages to emphasize the best characteristics of the individual songs. Just about the only slightly weak spot I could find on this production was the concluding song, due to it for my mind at least coming across as ever so slightly less interesting than the rest of the material at hand.

Conclusion. If you tend to enjoy a vibrant and energetic variety of contemporary heavy metal, this is a production that you should be aware of. Progressive metal fans will enjoy the occasional lapses into this form and will otherwise enjoy the quirky and subtly unusual and expressive details one will encounter in most songs, and those with a general affection for well made and elegant metal with a vibrant, hard hitting and sophisticated execution will arguably get even more out of this album. A solid production through and through, with several moments of brilliance scattered throughout.

Progmessor: July 2023
The Rating Room