Dive headfirst into a tempestuous voyage where a ship clashes against an unforgiving ocean – that's the gripping heart of Beastwars' latest release, The Ship // The Sea, and it's guaranteed to pull you into its swirling emotional depths! As Kiwi pioneers known for their dense, immersive sludge-doom soundscapes, Beastwars have built an impressive legacy as a reliable powerhouse in the genre. Drawing loose parallels to bands like the early Mastodon from their Leviathan days, High on Fire, Crowbar, and Boss Keloid, they forge their own rugged path, marked by unyielding grit in the face of personal and professional hurdles. And this is the part most people miss: despite steering through storms of adversity, the band presses on with their sixth studio album, proving their resilience shines through in their music. If you're new to sludge-doom, think of it as a heavy metal subgenre that blends sluggish, crushing riffs with atmospheric gloom, often mirroring life's darker struggles – it's like a sonic hug that punches you in the gut.
I've been a supporter of their previous efforts, particularly Blood Becomes Fire and The Death of All Things (check out my full review at https://www.angrymetalguy.com/beastwars-death-things-review/), but I skipped their 2023 covers collection, Tyranny of Distance. Looking back, I'm a bit surprised I gave their 2019 album IV a perfect 4.0 score (reviewed in detail here: https://www.angrymetalguy.com/beastwars-iv-review/), since it doesn't often call to me when I crave that Beastwars fix. Still, the band always delivers solid work, frequently surpassing that baseline with engaging, albeit somewhat overlooked, material. With over five years since their last original LP, the question lingers: can these Wellington heavyweights deliver something truly extraordinary this time?
But here's where it gets controversial – the album's cover art, a stunning oil painting by Nick Keller, vividly captures the chaotic, churning fury inside this colossal vessel, setting the stage for an experience that's as raw and impactful as it is heartfelt. The Ship // The Sea delivers a robust, muscular punch paired with deep emotional resonance, capable of tugging at your heartstrings while rattling your skull. The opening track, 'We Don’t Say Fear,' eases you back into the familiar embrace of Beastwars' world, featuring their classic stomp of catchy, hard-rocking sludge-doom that's chunky and infectious, with the quartet performing at peak form. This record pulses with sincere passion, exploring themes of personal trials and worldwide crises that fueled its creation, all wrapped in a somber, melancholic atmosphere. Beastwars excel at condensing intense power and emotion into shorter songs, returning to their heavier, more direct foundations while retaining a hint of progressive exploration – it's like stripping down to essentials without losing the thrill of the journey.
Navigating through these darker vibes, the album oscillates between the bleak, soul-stirring despair of doom anthems like the standout 'Guardian of Fire' and 'Rust,' and the slightly brighter uplift of the closing 'Light Leads the Way.' Yet, they don't forget the rocking, muddy thunder, injecting urgency and traditional infectivity into tracks such as the hooky 'Levitate,' the energetic psych-stoner surge of 'The Storm,' and the fierce, aggressive energy of 'Blood Will Flow.' Fans from the band's early days will appreciate the unpolished swagger, heightened aggression, and sheer weight here. Although The Ship // The Sea features numerous highlights and a deeply moving emotional core, it doesn't always flow seamlessly. While it never truly falters, the latter half encounters some pacing dips and slower moments, not quite rivalling the catchy rockers and doom-heavy gems crammed into the front. That said, the second half still carries significant force, as evidenced by the pounding grooves and mesmerizing flow of 'The Howling,' plus the grinding riffs, infectious rhythm, and tormented vocals on the slow-building intensity of 'You Know They’re Burning the Land.'
The imposing rhythm duo of bassist James Woods and drummer Nathan Hickey lays down thick doomy beats and beefy, low-tuned grooves, providing a solid foundation. Guitarist Christian Pearce adds progressive touches and somber melodies through layers of sludgy riffs, enjoyable stoner patterns, and punishing, gloomy doom elements. Vocalist Matt Hyde's gritty, gravelly roars and pained yells stand out as a cornerstone of the Beastwars style, drawing from his own battles with serious health issues, life's hardships, and global turmoil to deliver a powerfully emotive showcase. His raw intensity and the album's unrefined sound give it a gritty, pounding character.
Recorded in a seaside studio, Beastwars fully embody the album's spiritual ties to the ocean's wild, unpredictable, and harsh temperament. The production captures a rough, natural edge and heaviness that aligns perfectly with their tough delivery, muscular rhythms, and hammering riffs across sludge, doom, and stoner styles. Beastwars consistently craft strong compositions in these realms, boasting depth, subtle intricacies, and heartfelt emotion. Even if it might not be their most cohesive or immediately catchy release, The Ship // The Sea rewards repeated listens, delivering a substantial impact and upholding Beastwars' reputation for high-energy, harrowing, and booming tracks.
Score: 3.5/5.0
DR: 7| Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Destroy Records
Websites: beastwars.bandcamp.com (https://beastwars.bandcamp.com/) | facebook.com/beastwars666 (https://www.facebook.com/beastwars666)
Releases Worldwide: November 7th, 2025
What do you think – does Beastwars strike the right balance between dark emotion and rocking energy in The Ship // The Sea, or should they have leaned harder into one side? Is the pacing issue a valid critique, or does it add to the album's ebb and flow like the sea itself? Share your opinions in the comments – I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a different take on this Wellington crew!
