Tuesday 1 May 2018

BOAR - Poseidon (Album Review)


Release date: June 01st 2018. Label: Lost Pilgrims Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Poseidon – Tracklisting

1.Poseidon
2.Shahar's Son
3.12
4.Featherless
5.Dark Skies
6.Totally Out Of This World

Review

Poseidon is the new album from Finnish Heavy Doom/Stoner Rockers - BOAR. What stands out on this album is the many different styles of heavy music that BOAR include on their album. It may sound like a straightforward album but appearances can be deceiving. As BOAR inject a heavy psychedelic Sludge Rock/Metal sound into the overall feel of the atmosphere.

Opening track - Poseidon - is a heavy affair with BOAR striking the right balance of progressive psychedelic grooves matched against the heavier sludge/stoner metal sounds. The clean vocals interact really well with the hardcore growls that appear on different moments of the song. BOAR do like to show off here and there with heavy psychedelic guitars being their musical weapon of choice. The whole atmosphere and production of the album is quite good from the start. Though the album does have an old-school Punk/DIY vibe. Perhaps BOAR staying true to their underground roots.

Second track - Shahar's Son - opens with a gloomy lo-fi post-rock sound before the band start adding heavier sludge/stoner riffs. The vocals are sometimes hard to understand on this song. Though that's down to the heavy music BOAR are expertly creating. BOAR like to experiment with their music on this song. As it moves in quite a few different directions but all within the confinements of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal.

BOAR continue with their stylish blend of heavy psychedelic Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal on the remainder of the album. The vocals is one of the best points of the album as it matches the rough and ready attitude of the entire album. Songs such as Featherless, Dark Skies and the majestic sounding - Totally Out Of This World - allows BOAR to play complex sounding melodies that manages quite original in parts.

The songs last for around six or seven minutes each and it's an epic length for some of the songs. As BOAR change their style of music at regular intervals. This could have been a major issue for me but It actually made me appreciate the album so much more. As Poseidon becomes a better album for this.

If you're a fan of SLEEP and High On Fire then BOAR will impress the hell out of you. Poseidon is a hard-hitting psychedelic affair you will find very hard to beat.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Lost Pilgrims Records for the promo. Poseidon will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Lost Pilgrims Records from June 1st 2018.

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