Narrows is a band that consists of many members from many other bands, most notably is Botch vocalist Dave Verellen. Alongside him is These Arms are Snakes guitarist Ryan Frederiksen as well as a host of very seasoned musicians who have been in many a fine band. See Narrows website for the full low down.

The resulting sound is very diverse and transcends many musical styles, starting with the very Botch-like sounds of album opener ‘Chambered’ through to the later part of the album which falls in to more avant-garde dissonance and progressiveness. The second to last track ‘Gypsey Kids’ is very similar to a Cult of Luna sound with a building, driving power, while the album closer ‘Marquis Lights’ is a bit more minimal like Old Man Gloom.

Throughout "New Distances" there are bursts of brutality and also mellower injunctions. Some of the heavier tracks move quickly through riffs and have a more typically structured feel, whilst the more chilled tracks tend to build and develop and culminate in to something more satisfying. If you’ve ever listened to Godspeed you will massively appreciate this type of approach. The thing that makes "New Distances" so easy to listen too is the dynamical change and the range of styles; it just seems to flow and it never gets boring.

The amazing thing for me is that Narrows are separated across continents and don’t actually function as a touring band. This means that they rarely meet and probably spend most of their time conversing via phone and through the internet yet Narrows sound so accomplished and collective. This is what you get when you have such passionate, talented and experienced musicians in a band and it would be hard not to be so passionate when the music is as interesting as this. If you like metal with a twist of mellow post rock and dissonance then the Narrows teat will be one at wish you shall enjoy suckling.