Album Review: Soul Attrition – Vashon Rain (Self Released)

Soul Attrition is the solo project of Josh Parlette who plays bass for the Chicago sludge/noise trio, Escape is not Freedom. Vashon Rain is the debut album of the project, one that integrates components of post-metal, grunge, sludge and alternative. It will be released on July 13th 2018.

The dirty, bassy groove of opening track Sinking will tell you every thing you need to know about Soul Attrition. Dark and heavy but with focus on riffing and emotive hooks. While the album’s roots might be heavily in sludge and grunge, the post-metal melodic edge tracks like Remission, Fatal Flaw and the title track have is what takes it that extra step forward.

The album highlight though is Thirteen, a stunning piece of troubling metal that takes a classic grunge sound and delivers a more layered and nuanced listen.

Simply put, Soul Attrition do not put a foot wrong here. This is an album that they can be very proud of. It’s a fascinating listen, impossible to put down and as varied as anything heard this year so far.

It is with great sadness that the album has to end but it does so in such a way few will have anything to complain about. Unexpected Affront’s soft and slow strumming start erupts in deep riffing and snarling vocals before Euclid will leave you with tears running down your face.

Spell-binding. One of the best albums of the year.

Soul Attrition – Vashon Rain Full Track Listing:

1. Sinking
2. Thirteen
3. Remission
4. Fatal Flaw
5. Vashon Rain
6. Unexpected Affront
7. Euclid

You can order the album via Bandcamp here and find out more about the project over on Facebook.