Saturday 19 September 2015

MOEWN - Acqua Alta (Album Review)


Release date: September 01st 2015. Label: Pink Tank Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Acqua Alta: Tracklisting

1.Felsendunst 07:37
2.Katamaran 03:32
3.Wolkentürme 04:42
4.Packeis 05:07
5.Dunkelmeer 06:05
6.Schwarzer Frost 08:22

Band Members:

Ben: guitar
Niko: bass
Tim: drums

Review:

Newly signed to Pink Tank Records and this represents a major departure for Jan at Pink Tank who normally signs bands from the Psych/Sludge/Doom/Stoner worlds. Moewn play music what they call 'Oceanic Rock' a thrilling blend of Post-Rock, Psych Rock and hints of Stoner Rock.

Their debut album – Acqua Alta – is a heavy mix of Pelican/Red Sparowes style Post-Rock/Post-Metal theatrics with elements of Stoner Rock appearing for brief moments of time. The album does leave you in a blissful mood and one that you might get from swimming in the ocean. The album is undeniably heavy at times especially on the albums opening track – Felsendunst.

It's a storming Psych/Post-Rock/Stoner/Post-Metal number that sets up the whole scene for the album with Moewn creating something different from the recent mix of Post-Rock/Post-Metal albums I've listened to. The album is purely instrumental so if you're a fan of Instrumental Rock then this album is a must have as Moewn create highly intelligent and emotionally driven post-the-fuck-whatever sounds. This is an album with brains as well as brawn.

Moewn have written a stunning set of songs that evokes an emotional response each and every time you listen to it. And that's a very hard thing to pull off. Songs such as Katamaran, Wolkentürme and the albums standout track Schwarzer Frost are beautifully played and constructed as the band play a delicate fine balance between Ambient Post-Rock and the heavier Stoner/Post-Metal sounds with the Psych Rock adding an air of intelligence.

If you dig Pelican then check this album out as it's good to see a band such as Moewn doing something different within the Post-Rock/Post-Metal field. Acqua Alta is a superb album from one of the finest upcoming 'Oceanic Rock' bands currently out there.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jan at Pink Tank Records PR for the promo. Acqua Alta will be released Vinyl on 25th Sept 2015 through Pink Tank Records. You can buy the album on BandCamp now.

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