The vinyl version comes in a gatefold cover. Berlin's EARTHSHIP are back with their third album, Withered, released via Pelagic Records in September. With this album, EARTHSHIP have matured even more towards their own idiosyncratic take on contemporary metal, sludge and stoner rock. There is the occasional hint at an old school Swedish death metal vibe, but it never takes long until those moments find their release in those beautiful, warm, heavy stoner riffs. What sets this album apart, is a plethora of great musical ideas. In fact, "Withered" could almost be a "best of" collection of riffs; riffs taller than the mountains, backed by lyrics deeper than the sea. Withered also sees the introduction of more melodic vocals, such as in the monumental track Serpent Cult, or the clearly Sabbath-influenced opening riff of Dead Faint. Singer, guitarist and producer Jan Oberg has given the record a rich, massive and clear production that more than does justice to the songs. EARTHSHIP was launched by former THE OCEAN drummer, Jan Oberg, in the Spring of 2010. Debut album Exit Eden was a trip through the vast black sea of doom, metal and prog n'roll, released on Pelagic Records in early 2011. The band played their very first show supporting TORCHE in Berlin in December 2010, followed by a monsterous tour with THE OCEAN, RED FANG and INTRONAUT in 2011. Shortly before the tour, bass player Gutschke literally disappeared from the map and was replaced by Jan's wife, Sabine, on bass guitar. 2012 finally saw the band shrink to a three-piece: THE OCEAN mainman Robin Staps, who had played with the band since the beginning, left the band due his commitments elsewhere. That year saw the release of second album Iron Chest. EARTHSHIP's abrasive, heavy custom sound had grown and reached a new level of intensity. As Rocksound (UK) put it: "It's pretty clear that Earthship are on the course for greatness".