Album Review :
Hands - New Heaven/New Earth

By in Reviews | 7 Comments

Release date: February 3, 2017
Record label: Facedown Records
Tracklisting:

  1. New Heaven
  2. New Earth

What happened to ambient metal? Not many bands do it anymore. You’d think there’d be more, but there really isn’t. At least not in the Christian scene.

That’s where Hands come in. The band started in 2007 but broke up in 2011. The group reunited for the announcement of Facedown Fest 2017, but decided to keep going strong and released a new EP, something no one thought would happen.

“New Heaven” is the first song of the two song EP. The song is very ambient and takes many changes in tempo and speed. Transitioning from raging metal to melodic, indie sounding rock, the song marks the comeback of Hands. Melodic Ambient Indie Hard Rock. In a nutshell.

“New Earth” starts off slower than the previous track. The song begins more as an indie jam than anything. The music is soft and somber but no bass or drums really come in until later. But the track remains somber all the way through. There is a brief moment of a buildup, or what I thought was going to be a buildup, but it did not come to the fruition I thought it was. Instead of a buildup, it stopped all the music, save the piano and Shane Oschner’s voice.

Overall, it is a good comeback EP. Undoubtedly. Though they could have made it a tad longer, (and maybe a bit faster) it still will staple the return of the powerful and passionate Hands.

For those who like: Everything in Slow Motion, Attalus

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Brandon J.
Admin
February 3, 2017 10:09 am

Okay so a review popped up that quickly? That was fast. I totally disagree with the 3/5 rating but to each his own. I LOVE this single, it truly shows an artist progressing as a songwriter and the backing band perfectly compliments Shane’s vocals. This reminds me quite a bit of “The Sounds of Earth” full length that Lobster Records put out after The Everlasting Ep back in 2009. Most people haven’t heard that album but it pretty much rules. I wish Facedown could get the rights (I’ve heard the guy who formerly ran Lobster wasn’t budging on releasing ownership… Read more »

dibdoosquaterly
Guest
dibdoosquaterly
February 4, 2017 12:46 am
Reply to  Brandon J.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYEK_uIe018&list=PL1p02Dz9uKImts3Z1IdBQMRjXCwcv5Qxd

I found it in a playlist on youtube, and, you’re right, it is really good 🙂

thruchristalone777
Member
thruchristalone777
February 8, 2017 8:45 pm
Reply to  Brandon J.

I have a copy of “The Sounds of Earth”. I managed to get it brand new for like $10 on ebay when a bunch of them were being sold on there a few years ago. It is easily one of my favorite releases by them, second to “Give Me Rest”. While I do like “Creator”, “The Sounds of Earth” is just plain good. I enjoyed this ep. I was curious how it would sound in comparison to recent Everything In Slow Motion stuff, considering EISM was a sort of continuation of the sound that was on “Give Me Rest”, but… Read more »

Marco
Member
February 3, 2017 9:51 am

I was literally jumping for joy inside when I received the email about this release! Ltd edition on vinyl as well! Don’t get much sweeter than that!

Zac Zinn
Member
February 5, 2017 12:33 am

Sorry – New Earth is the song that I mean

Zac Zinn
Member
February 5, 2017 12:18 am

I don’t really understand the dislike for New Heaven, the song is a lyrical mystery for me. Anyone want to open up a discussion on it? I’m having a hard time figuring out a few lines

Casey Gallenberger
Member
February 3, 2017 4:46 pm

I was really excited when I heard the news of this release. Give Me Rest was a life-changing album and really helped define my current musical taste. With that said, I’m a little let down. New Heaven is definitely the weaker track here. New Earth is fairly decent but doesn’t build as I would hope. I understand their older releases were more in this vein, but there was such a nice balance on Give Me Rest. Something about this just feels off, like it’s a little too raw.

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