With a foreboding descent into doom that melts into swimmingly beautiful guitar notes, Fleshwater set the stage for their second studio record, 2000: In Search of the Endless Sky. After three years of anticipation, the Boston rock outfit is back with a hard-hitting follow-up that pushes their sound into new territory. From the first track, they signal what’s coming: something old, something new, and most importantly, something exciting. 2000 delivers the signature Fleshwater sound while twisting it into a fresh, nostalgic haze that dares listeners to engage beyond chugging riffs and soaring clean vocals.
Across its peaks and valleys, Fleshwater provokes, surprises, and locks you into a sonic ride that blends past and future.
Off the back of 2022’s We’re Not Here to Be Loved, Fleshwater caught the attention of heavyweights in the music world. They toured with Deftones and The Mars Volta, then lit up the 2024 Lollapalooza stage in Chicago. Thousands got to see them flex their raw power. Since then, the band has grown more confident. learning how to refine their sound while experimenting with its edges.
The album kicks off with “Drowning Song,” opening on an effect that feels like an elevator ride straight to hell. A despairing guitar creeps in, cloaking everything in tension. It’s equal parts beautiful and haunting, with Marisa Shirar’s vocals pulling the listener into a shoegaze-drenched dream. Drums hit with a pulsating lift, as if the music wants to levitate you. Only for that spell to be shattered by the sharp, breakneck riffs of “Green Street,” a sudden jolt of speed and fury that sets the album’s stakes high.
From there, Fleshwater has outdone themselves. Dual vocals from Shirar and Anthony Dido, paired with crisp production, push their sound to new heights
Most notably on the first single, “Jetpack.” Tracks like “Last Escape” and “Raging Storm” showcase their ability to fuse shoegaze and metal with precision, striking a balance between blast beats and thunderous grooves with delicate, shimmering textures. Each song feels distinct, whether it’s riding high-tempo chaos or leaning into slow, cymbal-heavy swells.
But it’s the quieter moments that hit hardest. “Silverine,” the penultimate track, strips everything back to Shirar’s bare voice accompanied only by guitar and bells. It’s intimate, fragile, and startling in contrast to the rest of the record’s volume. A moment of vulnerability that cements itself as a standout.
2000 proves that the band, even after three years away, is only getting stronger.
They’ve found a sweet spot in their nostalgic yet fresh sound while taking small but meaningful risks to expand it further. To call the album “safe” would miss the point; it’s more like Fleshwater doubling down on what they do best. And what they do best is evocative, heavy, and memorable.
With a massive headlining tour kicking off September 17, the band’s future looks wide open. 2000 isn’t just another notch in their discography. It’s a step toward building a brutal, creative legacy. The album thrills, entertains, and reminds us that Fleshwater are nowhere near done.
2000: In Search of the Endless Sky is available on Closed Casket Activities