Release
date: October 25th 2015. Label: Self Released. Format: DD
Explore
The Void – Tracklisting
1.Imperial
Duster 06:22
2.Meet
On Mars 04:23
3.Holy
Oath 03:27
4.Tzar
Bomba 07:44
5.Harvest
04:48
6.Demon
Of The Sands 04:01
7.Dr.
Plague 05:32
8.Witchcoven
05:01
9.Ceasing
To Exist 09:16
Band
Members:
Ankko
Kaján - Lead and backing vocals, Guitars
Martin
Ahlö - Lead and Backing, vocals, Guitars
Axel
Nordman - Lead and Backing vocals, Bass
Joel
Kronqvist - drums
Review:
Craneium’s
debut album – Explore The Void – is a rare album that comes out
of nowhere and makes a lasting impression on you. If you’re a fan
of Truckfighters, Kyuss, Sabbath and Wo Fat then Craneium deserve
your attention.
Opening
track – Imperial Duster – starts with a Fuzz/Desert Rock soaked
groove with the band opting for a crazy sci-fi based vibe with tales
of illegal races along the Milky Way. You’re bound to detect the
Star Wars influence and it’s an interesting idea as these guys have
a slight Monster Magnet influence going on. It’s crazy, yeah, no
doubt but the band are having so much fun it’s hard not to get
caught up by it all. The vocals are pitch-perfect as they have the
right amount of charm and style to give the song an extra layer of
confidence.
Second
track – Meet On Mars – carries on the sci-fi/space-rock theme
with a trippy 60s based organ before the heavier sludge based riffs
make themselves known. It’s a different kind of Fuzz vibe compared
to the first song but there’s a slight menacing mood with the band
opting for a heavier approach. It allows the band to venture into
Heavy Metal style theatrics but it’s the Psychedelic Fuzz
atmospherics that keeps you entertained through out.
Third
Track – Holy Oath – has a lo-fi punk sound drowned under the
distorted noises as you feel this is a different band from the first
two tracks. Imagine Kyuss given a Punk-Rock makeover and that’s the
best way to describe this song. It’s an exciting song though I
wasn’t expecting the lo-fi punk vibe. It’s good to see a band
like Craneium experimenting with the standard Fuzz/Desert/Stoner Rock
sound.
Fourth
track – Tzar Bomba – is one of the standout songs on the album as
the band delve further into their Psych/Fuzz/Desert Rock sound with
layers of distorted Sludge/Stoner Rock being played in the
background. The vocals change direction and delivery yet again as
this band doesn’t stick to one set sound. It’s the same scenario
with the music as the band experiment with their sound as they create
a dangerous cocktail of delicious and dangerous Psychedelic Fuzz.
Fifth
track – Harvest – sees the band opt for a more stripped back
approach with the riffs being played at a slow pace that verges on
Industrial Rock mixed with heavy pounding Sludge/Stoner riffs. The
ambient based noises add a certain sense of calm before the band
unleash a non-stop barrage of violent Stoner/Desert sounds that would
make Truckfighters proud to call their own.
Maybe
I’m giving too much away with this album review. The band have 4
other songs to entertain you with and believe me when I say Craneium
create even heavier far-out riffs seen on the first half of the
album. Truth be told, Craneium opt for a more Doom Metal approach
with the Fuzz/Desert Rock vibes giving way to a heavier doom and
gloom approach. There are still huge amounts of fun to be had on
Demon Of The Sands, Dr Plague and Witchcoven.
The
final song on the album is where Cranieum impress the most. Ceasing
To Exist is an epic 9 minute song that has an Atmospheric
Doom/Post-Metal quality about it though it’s the traces of intense
Psych Stoner Rock that holds everything together. Cranieum end the
album on such a high note. It’s almost impossible not to be moved
by this song as it’s very emotional at times especially when the
acoustic psych guitars appear towards the end of the song.
Craneium
have created a crazy, fuzz-tastic and doom-laiden psychedelic surreal
road trip into the unknown. Explore The Void is a brilliant debut
album. Check it out. You won’t be sorry.
Words
by Steve Howe
