The Great Sea

**The Great Sea** is a Portland, Oregon-based post-metal duo known for their crushing, atmospheric sound and lyrical explorations of existential dread. Formed in 2016 by vocalist/guitarist Mara Vartanian and drummer Eli Schwartz, the band blends sludge metal's raw intensity with haunting, cinematic textures. Their music—like recent releases *Noble Art of Desolation* and *Walking at the Edge of Death*—often grapples with themes of societal decay and human futility, delivered through Vartanian's guttural vocals and Schwartz's seismic percussion.

Self-described "doom architects," The Great Sea gained a cult following for their 2022 album *Monuments to Wrath*, which included fan-favorite tracks *Upright in Nothing* and *No Peace Among Men*. They’re celebrated for DIY ethics, self-producing most of their work, and their chaotic live shows, which pair deafening riffs with eerie projection art. Little is publicly known about their personal lives, as the duo prioritizes letting the music "scream louder than gossip."

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