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35007 - "Liquid"
ASTROSONIQ - "Soundgrenade"
BLACK NASA - "S/T"
BRANT BJORK & THE OPERATORS - "S/T"
CATHEDRAL - "Seventh Coming"
EARTHRIDE - "Taming Of The Demons"
>>MORE ROADBURN PICS: Part 2 / Part 3
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35007
"LIQUID" [ CD/LP - Stickman Records ]
a. sez: There are times when words become inadequate to describe the
patterns that form, reform, swirl and shift in your brain. Times when trying
to convey impressions and sensations are impossible. Times when like-minded
people share knowing looks and nod approvingly.
35007's new LP release, "Liquid", is one of those times.
A 4 song CD/LP with a running time of just under 40 minutes,
"Liquid" weaves a complex sonic tapestry from diverse elements, drawing the
listener deeper and deeper into the multi-textured soundscapes that form
each song.
Metallic riffs, jazzy drums, pedal steel and layers of synthesized
effects lay the foundations for the extended workouts on offer if
you need a rough "sounds-like" opinion.
However, what you need to know is that it simply is one of the most awesome
aural experiences you could hope to hear. Once you've listened, you too will
share knowing looks and nod approvingly...
xander77 sez: Listening to 35007's new record there is no other conclusion:
"Liquid" is their most trance-like release to date. 35007's music would always
stomp the listener in the face with riffs and grooves. But the 4 songs on
this record slowly crawl up your back towards your brain where the chemical
reaction begins.
Listen to this record, react. Slowly float away on the steady and
atmospheric rhythms only to be awakened by the sudden explosion in
"Crystalline", then gentle elevate out of your chair to the stunning
"Evaporate."
The grande finale is called "Voyage Automatique" and that track has
a Massive Attack-like drum sound, which adds, again, new dimensions in the
band's sound. Although this album is very different from their former three
releases, "Liquid" is unmistakable 35007. This is a record no one else
could've made.
drew sez: This is a flat-out masterpiece. Not only a strong contender for
album of the year, but a bonafide classic in the space rock genre. This is
also the best record that 35007 have put out, and they have yet to release a
bad record. "Liquid" is the culmination of all of the great talent and
potential that the band has shown throughout their history. The result is
pure bliss.
"Liquid" is made of songs that redefine dynamics and take you on aural
journeys. Songs that are as smooth as they are heavy, and also have massive
hooks as addictive as crack.
35007 beautifully blend electronic music and
drone with well-muscled riff rock, in a way that should be a template for
space rock in years to come. An absolutely essential release! One listen
will transport you far away from all of your problems and concerns, and
isn't that really what we are looking for in our favorite records? Hell yes!
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ASTROSONIQ
"Soundgrenade" [ CD - Buzzville / Suburban ]
walter sez: It isn't easy to write a proper review for Astrosoniq's
"Soundgrenade", the band's second album. It isn't because I know these guys
well, but that's definitely part of it. It is not the diversity of the
album that holds me back, but that's part of it too. It's difficult to keep
track of the album without being distracted by the vast musical variety on
offer.
The album in general is good, very good in fact, and it ranges from stomping
riff rock ["Aphrodites Child", "Daemonology"] to the Nick Cave-alike "Evil
Rules In Showbizzland" and the chuga chuga metal stylings of "Sod Off!!!"
The latter bears a close resamblance to Cathedral --the same goes for the
bludgeoning "Astronomicon."
Astrosoniq even manges to incorporate funk and
hiphop ["So Be It"] fluidly into their massive, dirty and overwhelming wall
of sound. Then there's the use of intriguing samples and spacy keyboards
-adding mood and contrast to the gritty vocals, fuzzy stoner riffs and
solid grooves.
Wether it's spacerock, riffrock, doom metal, funk, or any form of mind
altering guitar rock, Astrsosoniq know their chops and compositorial palete
to set them apart from the masses!
I guess what makes it really hard to review this album is that I happen to
have another, yet unreleased album from Astrosoniq. It's an addictive, aural
trip to the center of the universe --pure spacerock bliss, far more
compelling and less multifaceted than "Soundgrenade."
I'm eagerly awaiting the release of this album. Meanwhile I keep asking myself: why the hell
didn't Astrosoniq put out that space-psych trip? It would really make them
stand out from any contemporary stoner band!
matthijs sez: Following on from the acclaimed "Son of AP Lady", the mighty
Astrosoniq return with another "Soundgrenade." The album is not for the weak
hearted cuz' it's so damn heavy that it almost hurts.
"Soundgrenade" is arguably another history lesson about everything in rock
'n roll. It's such a diverse album, and it shows a considerable growth over
its predecessor, the aforementioned "Son of AP Lady." It almost seems that
the band is laughing at your amazement, knowing how mind blowing their
diversity and skills are.
"Soundgrenade" is also very soulful, and constructed with the utmost precision -it oozes an incredible love for
music in general. The thick and detailed production done by drummer Marcel
Van Der Vondervoort in his 'Torture Garden' studio shows that he put a lot
of effort and dedication into the album. Although the sound isn't as gritty
as it used to be, it's still warm and heavy nonetheless!
Astrosoniq's songwriting is almost virtuouso, but also very loose and
jam-oriented. The musicianship, on the other hand, is tight and well
executed. The diversity, Astrosoniq's trademark, makes "Soundgrenade" a bit
hard to digest at first, but it will probably let the album survive much
longer than most stonerrock records released nowadays.
Astrosoniq's musical spectrum goes from every range between; stonerrock,
spacerock, funk, glam, Americana, metal, punk, doom, ambient, avantgarde...
and even more than you can think of. It's amazing what a wide range of
influences and musical leanings the band can put together --for instance,
you'll hear exact copies of John Garcia, Stevie Wonder and Nick Cave!!!
Needless to say, the amount of guts shown here is something you don't come
across everyday. This is rock music at it's most diverse and at it's best.
drew sez: It's safe to say that this is one of the most anticipated releases
of the year for me. I, like walter, got a copy of the double CD that the
songs for "Soundgrenade" were chosen from. I agree with walter that there
was the makings of one of the best spacerock albums in many years on those
discs. Amazing songs and jams that reminded me of two of my favorite
all-time bands, Hawkwind and Funkadelic jamming together. It doesn't much
better for me.
The songs that make up "Soundgrenade" are definitely MUCH more diverse and
seeming much more oriented to a broader musical audience. An audience that
would consist of 80's metal heads, funk fans, disco dancers, baggypants
wearing rap-metal kids, spacerock freaks, and of course stonerrock heads.
The problem [to me] with this approach is that nobody will be ultimately
satisfied because the album has no unifying vibe. It's merely a collection
of brilliantly-played, extremely well-produced songs. Just when you hear a
sound you love, it's on to the next style.
As for me, I still listen to the
double CD. You won't have that option. You will however, need to hear this
if you appreciate metal in any form. Just remember to keep the remote handy.
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BLACK NASA
"S/T" [ CD - TeePee Records ]
Black Nasa, featuring Chris Kosnik of Atomic Bitchwax-fame on bass and
vocals, are deeply entrenched in the riff rock/southern rock/boogie stylings
à la Allman Brothers, AC/DC and Guess Who. Their self titled debut is easily
as good as any Atomic Bitchwax album, but comparing both bands isn 't
fair.
Although some musical simularities [a jam oriented spirit, spaced-out
effects], Black Nasa makes no pretense at riffing out, whether it's hard
rock, psych rock or plain rock, this is inspired, footstompin', good ol'
driving music, played with heart and soul.
Kosnik, Corey Stubblefield [drums] and Duane Hutter [guitars, slide] put
emphasis on songwriting! The tracks are building on straight ahead grooves
and catchy melodies instead of being vehicles for showing off guitar hero
pyrotechnics or atomic fuelled riffs. There's plenty of variety in texture
and pace.
It's Hutter's ripping slide guitar that gives the album a whiskey
soaked southern twang [without sounding cheesy]. While Kosniks vocals are
even better than ever; he's actually singin'.
Black Nasa's debut full-length will carry you along nicely on the interstate
highways, revving up the engine at will, and without being distracted by speed
limits or the blue meanies. That said, this is a strong album, with no
filler and therefore recommended.
walter
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BRANT BJORK & THE OPERATORS
"S/T" [ CD - Dunasound Records/The Music Cartel ]
a. descartes sez: Brant Bjork probably needs no introduction, as he drummed
with both Kyuss and Fu Manchu. This is his second solo release, and like his
debut "Jalamanta", it's way more laid-back and groove-laden than the two
guitar-based behemoths mentioned before.
"Jalamanta" is a good starting point for describing what this album is like.
Laid-back grooves meander in and out in no great hurry, but unlike
"Jalamanta", this album has a lot less jazz and a lot more 80's pop in its
soul. The opening track "Hinda 65", replete with flangy Blondie-esque rhythm
guitar, cruises along in good order and is possibly one of the coolest
opening tracks ever recorded. 80's pop, but in a good way.
The next two tracks make me think this could be the album of all time mixing
Garbage-y falsetto vocals with off-key riffs and more metal "My
Ghettoblaster". Unfortunately, things start slipping by track 4, "Electric
Lalli Land". Cool, but not essential. Things stay on this sort of noodling
track until the jazz workout of "Cocoa Butter". From there on in, Bjork's on
a winner with the Isaac Hayesian "Captain Lovestar" and "Hinda 65 (Reprise)"
closing the album in the same style it opened.
Not the essential album that "Jalamanta" was, but another great record from
Bjork provided you could admit that you kinda dug the 80s.
walter sez: I really have to admit that I kinda dug the 80's. But I didn't
have much in common with bands like The Tubes or Devo, and wasn't into jazz,
laid back grooves or funk either --influences that are apparent on Brant
Bjorks latest effort, entitled "Brant Bjork & The Operators."
Frankly, the list has changed throughout the years, but there are some
albums though that reveal a denied love for those
aforementioned bands and musical leanings. And this feelin' goes way back to
the...mid 80's when I was supposed to be this narrow-minded headbangin'
freak.
"Brant Bjork & The Operators" is an album that would retroactively make my
list of 80's albums of merit, as it slowly unwinds the imagery of my twisted
youth, cuz' groove-laden tracks as "Hinda 65" and "My Gettoblaster" remind
me of secretly listening to Blondie and The Cars at home, or seeing The
Tubes live on German Television [Rockpalast]. In public, I could be found
picking on those kinda groups when I hung around with my hard rockin'
buddies.
The jazzy "Electric Lalli" and soulful "Cocoa Butter" harkens back to the
days I picked up my first ever funk-albums and tuned into a weekly soul
broadcast on national radio. When one of my long time buddies heard Bjork's
album he admitted to tune in to the same radio show as well...home alone!!!
On the other hand, "Brant Bjork and The Operators" could also be the
soundtrack to all the harmless [or innocent] summers I enjoyed during those
years. The entire record captures the atmosphere of us chilling out at the
pool, visiting a mall or, even more important, smoking dope at the movies. A
better way to spend the endless summer, I couldn't imagine back in those
days.
All of this makes the latest effort from Brant Bjork [which he
recorded in collaboration with Mathias Schneeberger] one the best albums
I've heard this year.
It recalls many beautiful memories, and it forces me to explore new musical territories --one of the best things any album can do
to me as well as providing a trip down memory lane. "Brant Bjork & The
Operators" does it all.
drew sez: Brant's new record is fluffy and light, and pleasant enough if
you're into goofy summer music that means nothing. This didn't win too many
spins on my disc player. It's well executed and probably well intentioned,
but ultimately it was superfluous.
Maybe I'm just a narrow-minded metalhead, I don't know. Maybe itıs because I entered high school in 1980
and for me the decade of the 80's and the music that went with it is best forgotten.
Unless, of course youıre talking about hardcore punk, but I digress. "Brant
Bjork & The Operators" just does not do it for me.
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CATHEDRAL
"Seventh Coming" [ CD - Dream Cathcher Records ]
"From the ashes of demise, a burning phoenix will arise", is how Lee Dorrian
bids you welcome to "Seventh Coming", Cathedral's [not surprisingly] 7th
album. This is the band's debut for Dream Catcher Records and is not as
extreme as its predecessor, "Endtyme", which marked a return to their
doom-roots and was also the swansong of another era; Cathedral's last album
for Earache.
Listening to the astonishing "Seventh Coming", it seems that the making of
this album became a real challenge for the band; being less obvious and more
diverse in styles and sounds. Influences range from prog rock, folk, New
Wave of British Heavy Metal to Celtic Frost and Led Zeppelin.
"Endtyme's" all-out sludge attack has thus been replaced for more layered
and varied song material. "Seventh Coming" is also very catchy in some
places, and real melodic.
Don't be afraid though, there's plenty of chugging
riffs in the best Cathedral tradition, and the album is still seriously
heavy, but in a different way. At times it's more upbeat and relentless, at
others it's epic and meandering -but always it avoids the groovy 70's
melodies.
There's some quite powerful Hammond organ throughout the album as well as
ultra-doomy interludes and powerful sludge dirges, leaving you either beaten
senseless or happily humming along.
Producer Kit Woolven's ear for melody has given the album a more polished production, making the excellent
songs sound more accessible than ever. To put it plain and simple: "Seventh
Coming" is the best of new and [even] old Cathedral channeled into a killer
and daring album.
walter
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EARTHRIDE
"TAMING OF THE DEMONS"
[CD - Southern Lord ]
wombat sez: Coming at you like a quaalude-wasted, stone-drunk biker, the new Earthride
CD is a doomed, bluesy ride that doesn't let up. Thick, warm, tube-amped guitars from Kyle Van
Steinburg, and a wall of bottom end from bassist Joe Ruthvin, combine with
steady doom rock grooves from Eric Little to produce a slippery, stoned, bluesy doom vibe that's sorely
missing from many recent releases.
Top off the sonic stew with a dose of acid-drenched, alcohol-soaked, almost
black metal vocals of Dave Sherman, and you get an idea of the sound of
Earthride' s debut CD, "Taming Of The Demons."
Think Lynyrd Skynyrd jamming with EYEHATEGOD....Think Black Oak Arkansas
jamming with Black Sabbath....maybe Motorhead crossed with Molly Hatchet,
and a touch of Vitus thrown in....you get the idea!
Guitar sonics compare to Tony Mcphee, Tony Iommi,and last but not least,a
healthy dose of Maryland doom & Internal Void's Kelly Carmicheal. With the
vocals, heavy nods go out to Phil Anselmo, and Lemmy, as well as Cronos from
Venom. And one cannot deny the influence of both Wino, and Saint Vitus, in
every aspect of the bands sound. The grooves remind me of Budgie as well,
but, indeed heavier. This would be a great band to see with Down!
Once again, Chris Kozlowski has done a fantastic job within the walls of the
Polar Bear Lair, recording and engineering the bands debut, which is yet another fine
release for the Southern Lord label. All in all,7 tracks of mind-numbing, grooving, heavy doomrock from
the Maryland Hills.
Also worthy of note is Earthride's live show. Dave Sherman is one of the most
completely comfortable people I've ever seen in front of a crowd,and with a
microphone. His between song banter and antics alone are the stuff of
legend. And, a louder, more bottom-ended gig you may not encounter. See 'em
live, if you get the chance.
Buy the new cd, get another fine slice of Maryland USA Doom Metal history in
the making.
brian sez: There are heavy bands. The kind of bands that punch you in the gut and leave you
gasping for air. And then there are HEAVY bands. The kind of bands that punch you in the face, gouge out
your eyes, skull fuck you and then reach down your throat, pull your bowels out through your mouth and leave
you for dead. Maryland's Earthride are the latter.
Following up their excellent self-titled EP Earthride have returned with the crushingly massive sounds
of "Taming Of The Demons."
I've been living with this album since its release in the late spring and it has made its mark
on me. For starters I can't stress enough the massive tone that volume freak
Kyle Van Steinburg achieves --thick and loud, it jumps out of the speakers at you. Iommi would be proud.
The songs themselves are marked by some great riffing with rhythm section Little and Ruthvin laying
down a rock solid foundation, alternately pounding and groovy in a subtle way. What strikes me is
the band's use of dynamics. Earthride effortlessly and effectively combines the
best of midtempo/fast riffing with slow pounding passages.
It keeps things fresh and interesting --you never have a chance to get lulled by the band
repetitiously following one tempo throughout a song, a trap so many of the ultra-heavy doom bands
fall into. "Valiume 10" and "Under A Black Cloud" perfectly illustrate this point.
Stylistically there is no escaping the comparison of Black Sabbath filtered
through Motorhead. The sound, riffing, and use of dual lead tracking throughout is indicative of those
great progenitors of doom. But this goes beyond mere Sabbath worship --it has a blue collar, smash mouth
quality to it that would make for the perfect soundtrack to a documentary about the Hell's Angels.
Adding to this impression are the "I can't believe it's not Lemmy vocals" of Sherman. Throaty and gruff,
his vocals complement and complete the music perfectly. Van Steinburg's lead playing throughout the
album is top notch and like I said earlier the multiple leads coming at you at one time is terrific.
This is doom rock of the highest order, an album that grows on me more and more every
time I spin it. Not a clunker amongst the album's 7 tracks. Heavy from top to bottom without
resorting to bashing you with the same riff for 52 minutes.
Catchy without resorting to force feeding you rehashed stoner rock-isms. Heavy enough to appeal to fans of bands like Church of
Misery, High On Fire, Electric Wizard, and Warhorse...Melodic enough to appeal to fans of Spirit
Caravan, Pentagram, Place Of Skulls, Cathedral etc...
This is a top-notch release. Among the very best that doom and heavy metal, in general, have
to offer. I know it will be in my top 5 this year.
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