How does the world sound when balance is lost? The band Dripping Trees offers an answer to this question in their new album Balance is Gone. This release is an exploration of personal and global themes that alters the perception of reality. The band takes a step into the unknown, and their new album is a cry for help directed at humanity.
The Dutch quartet Dripping Trees, after long experimentation, has become a band in conflict with its own dramatic tendencies, deliberately suspending disbelief like a bad reality show.
Photo by Ingrid Enache
“Balance is Gone,” the band’s new album, marks a new phase in their creative journey, drawing inspiration from slowcore, post-rock, and folk. The album notably departs from the post-punk sound that characterized their previous album, “Fuel of Mankind.” The arrival of new member Luc Lamé significantly altered the musical sound, bringing more nuance and lyricism to the songs. Unlike “Fuel of Mankind,” the band opted for a raw, refined, and layered sound, created with the support of producer JJJ Sielcken.
The themes of the new songs cover important issues such as the planet’s deterioration, personal poetry, and absurd stories about imaginary worlds. Dripping Trees (Luc, Koen, Stef, Stijn en Stef) are proud that “Balance is Gone” expresses their growth as musicians. The release was recorded live in one room, which preserved the natural atmosphere of the sounds. Are you ready to discover the band’s new ideas and sound?
The album opens with the track “Nothing’s Changed” – soft, slightly gritty vocals begin the narration, gradually joined by wavering guitar solos and muted, almost whispering drums. Gradually, the tension builds, and toward the end, the song reaches a dramatic climax, with emotions previously hidden bursting out.
Lyrics and melodies enclose a cycle of experiences as unchanging as nature itself. Time, which for many becomes a means of healing and change, transforms here – it passes, but brings no relief, leaving inner conflicts and problems just as sharp and relevant. The slow tempo and atmospheric sounds of “Nothing’s Changed” transition smoothly into the deep melancholy of the track “Sea of Ants.” The combination of slowcore, post-rock, and folk in this song provides a rich context for reflections on human existence, unity, and loneliness in a world full of “ants,” where everyone plays their part. The sonic richness creates a sense of open space, intensifying the inner emptiness and the search for meaning.
Photo by Ingrid Enache
The poetic, Renaissance ballad-like track “Bulging at the Seams” introduces a meditative state, preparing the listener for an ascent to the peak. The emotional tension of the album reaches its climax in the track “Ecstasy.” This becomes the culmination, where the band skillfully uses contrasts and dynamic transitions – from calm passages to explosive, seething moments. Powerful instrumental sections amplify the emotionality, and against this backdrop, the vocals take on a special lightness, soaring above the dense musical layer.
The atmosphere of serenity, smooth melodies, and soft, hypnotic vocals in “Waltz of Eternity” act like a lullaby, soothing and gradually relieving tension. Yet, even with this, a faint feeling of unease remains, preventing complete relaxation.
The most ambitious track on the album, in my opinion, is “Stray“. Its sound grows like a symphony, melodies expanding and glowing. Powerful instrumental parts and drama paint vivid images. Subtle, almost imperceptible opening chords evolve into a monumental musical piece.
The album’s core storyline revolves around the depth of emotions and introspection, culminating in the final track, “Balance Is Gone,” where a poignant conclusion is reached: “balance is lost,” and it’s now up to us to restore it. This raises the question: can we truly find balance in a world that continually tests us, or are we destined to wander in an endless search?
In “Balance is Gone”, Dripping Trees creates a captivating sound, immersing the listener in an atmosphere of hidden tension, slow intensification, and mystical tones. This effect arises from subtle, gradually intensifying layers of sound, in which one can hear both the echo of nature and something infinitely human, hidden and inexpressible.
A picture of anticipation and vulnerability emerges, conveying a fragile balance on the edge, ready to collapse at any moment, leaving the listener alone in the face of the unknown. Its final chords sound like a call to action. The story concludes, but a choice must be made — to succumb to chaos or find the strength to bring order.
This album is a storm masquerading as stillness, a quiet rebellion against the noise of a world out of sync. Dripping Trees have crafted a sonic labyrinth that’s as unsettling as it is mesmerizing, leaving you with one undeniable truth: the balance isn’t just gone—it’s shattered. The only question is, what are you going to do about it?
Published in partnership with SubmitHub
Voxwave Magazine: Music, Culture, Interview, Fashion 