With a sound that embraces the weird and obscure, this American Post-Metal outfit is back with their sophomore opus, sounding heavier and more eclectic then ever.
With a sound that embraces the weird and obscure, Portland, Oregon-based Progressive Deathcore/Death Metal/Post-Metal ensemble Sea Sleeper is unveiling their second full-length opus, titled Burden of Antlers, following up on their 2021 debut Nostophobia. Recorded by Jesse Cooley and Shane Cooley at Sleeping Studio, produced, mixed and mastered by Jesse Cooley, and with a stylish artwork by Johnny P., the new album by Jesse Cooley on vocals and guitars, Tony Spradlin also on the guitars, Nick Kessler on bass, and Shane Cooley on drums sees the band hone further the cohesion across their composition process to produce an offering that is thoroughly eclectic and heavy.
The inspiration for the opening song Machines of the Bombing Runs was drawn from the band’s fascination with history and delves into the incomprehensible enormity of war, while the music sounds absolutely dissonant and harsh thanks to the devilish vociferations by Jesse and the Stygian guitars by the same Jesse alongside Tony. And they let their most visceral Post-Black Metal vein arise in Manifestor, with Shane demolishing his drums until the very last second; followed by Lunar Degenerates, bringing forward the metallic bass lines by Nick and the deep, introspective clean vocals by Jesse. After that, Abysmal Trench explores narcissism and mortality, with the music sounding just as visceral as the topic discussed while the lead guitars by Tony feel hypnotizing.
Then we face the hard hitting title-track Burden of Antlers, where Shane dictates the pace with his pounding drums while their guitars again transpire madness and fury, not to mention how thunderous the bass by Nick sounds and feels. In They’ll Miss You we see the band let their Dissonant and Experimental Death Metal side burn our damned souls, with Jesse’s roars sounding like an angry version of Mastodon, whereas Coma is also very experimental, dynamic and multi-layered, with the devilish sounds extracted from their stringed axes penetrating deep inside your psyche. Finally, Husk concludes the album on a high and demented mode, with the progressiveness and intricacy flowing from all instruments dragging us to the band’s grim lair for all eternity.
You can find the guys from Sea Sleeper on Facebook and Instagram, staying up to date with their news, music, live concerts and other nice to know details about the band, stream their unique, detailed and vibrant music on any platform like YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music, and of course, above all that, grab those talented metallers by the antlers by purchasing their excellent new album from their own BandCamp. Jesse, Tony, Nick and Shane are on fire throughout the entire Burden of Antlers, presenting an amalgamation of styles from Progressive Metal to modern-day Post-Metal that will surely please any fan of good music, inspiring them to keep on rockin’ armed with their extremely heavy yet melodic and enfolding music for many years to come.
Best moments of the album: Machines of the Bombing Runs, Burden of Antlers and Husk.
Worst moments of the album: Lunar Degenerates.
Released in 2026 Metal Assault Records
Track listing
1. Machines of the Bombing Runs 5:15
2. Manifestor 8:14
3. Lunar Degenerates 4:44
4. Abysmal Trench 5:53
5. Burden of Antlers 6:04
6. They’ll Miss You 5:08
7. Coma 5:59
8. Husk 6:46
Band members
Jesse Cooley – lead vocals, guitars
Tony Spradlin – lead guitars, backing vocals
Nick Kessler – bass, backing vocals
Shane Cooley – drums, backing vocals
THE HEADBANGING MOOSE 