Clouds At Last by Noiseware: A Wild Ride Through Progressive Metal Skies
Alright, let’s talk about Clouds At Last, the 2018 debut album from Noiseware that kinda snuck up on me like a storm cloud you didn’t see coming. If you’re into Rock and Hard Rock but with some Progressive Metal twists—like your brain’s being stretched while headbanging—you’ll want to give this one a spin. Released under “Not On Label,” it’s raw, unfiltered, and packs more punch than most polished studio albums out there.
First off, big props to Adhiraj Singh for wearing so many hats here—he produced, arranged, recorded, mixed, AND mastered this beast. That’s dedication right there! And can we just take a moment to appreciate Aniket Patni? Dude crushed it on guitar AND artwork. The basslines by Robert Alex are slick as hell, Gautam Deb’s drumming is relentless, and Aman Virdi’s vocals? Yeah, they tie everything together like duct tape on a broken dream.
Now, onto the tracks. There are ten songs total, but I gotta shout out two in particular because they stuck to my brain like gum on hot pavement: “Parallax” and “Vortex.”
“Parallax” hits hard right outta the gate. It starts with this eerie build-up, almost like you're staring at stars through a telescope when suddenly BOOM—a riff smacks you upside the head. This track feels like an emotional rollercoaster without seatbelts. One second you’re soaring high on killer solos, and the next you’re drowning in these heavy breakdowns that make your chest vibrate. Honestly, it’s the kind of song where you forget where you are for a minute. Is this real life? Who knows. All I know is I hit replay three times before moving on.
Then there’s “Vortex.” Oh man, this one’s chaotic in all the best ways. It’s fast, furious, and layered with so much complexity you might need a map to navigate it. Gautam’s drum fills sound like machine gun fire, and Aman’s vocals shift between melodic whispers and full-on screams like he’s wrestling his own demons mid-song. By the time the solo kicks in, you’re not just listening anymore—you’re living it. Like… what even is reality after hearing something like this?
The rest of the album keeps the energy alive too. Tracks like “Europa” and “Solar” feel cinematic, like mini-soundtracks for intergalactic adventures. Meanwhile, “Prelude” sets the tone perfectly—it’s short, mysterious, and leaves you hungry for more. Even though the production has that DIY grit to it, it works. Feels authentic, y’know? Like these guys weren’t tryna impress anyone—they were just making music straight from their souls.
So yeah, Clouds At Last isn’t perfect, but maybe that’s why I love it. It’s messy, ambitious, and overflowing with passion. These dudes clearly poured every ounce of themselves into this project, and it shows. Plus, how cool is it that they self-released it? Takes guts to put yourself out there like that.
Here’s the thing though—if you listen to this album expecting perfection, you’ll miss the point entirely. This isn’t background noise; it’s a journey. It’s loud, unpredictable, and sometimes downright weird—but damn if it doesn’t leave a mark.
Final thought: Listening to Clouds At Last feels like getting lost in a thunderstorm. You’re scared, thrilled, and kinda soaked by the end—but you wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. Oh, and fun fact—I still haven’t figured out which band member ate the last slice of pizza during recording. Mystery unsolved.
