Dub Trio – Another Sound is Dying

(Ipecac Recordings, 2008)

Brooklyn dub rockers Dub Trio, consisting of DP Holmes (guitar), Stu Brooks (bass), and Joe Tomino (drums), have got progressively heavier in sound since their debut album in 2004. Their third studio album, Another Sound is Dying, comes out of the blocks sounding like it could be a heavy metal album, that is until we are reminded of the groups original dub origins.

The lead track Not For Nothing starts off with a heavy sludge metal feel to it before giving just a hint of their dub influences and then adding an atmospheric, post-metal layer to the mix. From there the band seamlessly shifts between hard, heavy rock sounds and relaxed reggae/dub grooves throughout, allowing the listener the opportunity to both rock out or sit back and relax.

Mortar Dub is the one track which holds it shape from start to end, paying respect to the styles of King Tubby. This is quickly wiped away however by the machine-like start to Regression Line, its power reinforced by a laid-back bridge two-thirds of the way through.

Mike Patton provides the only vocals on the album for No Flag. This track proves more dark and sinister than their previous collaboration, Not Alone, for Patton’s Peeping Tom project. Whilst the vocals from Patton are a welcome addition to the album, they also demonstrate that having no vocals is what makes Dub Trio sound unique. There’s a real focus on minor effects and variations in sound, something that a vocalist would distract from.

Dub Trio have fused post-metal and dub together much like Bad Brains managed to mix reggae/dub with a punk attitude. This album is an experience whereby listeners can sit back and enjoy or really concentrate and pick up little nuances with each listen.