Release
date: November 13th
2015. Label: Self Released. Format: DD/Vinyl
Mt
Hood – Tracklisting
1.DESERT
SON 05:12
2.REDWOODS
02:41
3.PALO
VERDE 03:00
4.RALEIGH
01:41
5.MT
HOOD 07:09
6.BLACK
EAGLE 01:35
7.NOMAD
03:18
8.FRONTERA
01:28
9.MERCURY
SIX 02:07
10.VAN
SANT 03:31
11.ORION
02:56
Band
Members:
Brian
Sepanzyk – Guitar/Vox
Nate
Pennell – Bass
Benjie
Nesdoly – Drums
Review:
Canadian
Sludge/Stoner/Punk Upstarts – WAINGRO – have released a new album
called, Mt Hood. Almost 12 months after releasing their acclaimed S/T
debut album. WAINGRO provide a heavy onslaught of fast-paced Punk
driven Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs. Fans of Fuzz Rock/Hard Rock will
find much to enjoy here as WAINGRO don’t disappoint on that front
either.
Opening
track – Desert Son – is crackling with highly addictive Fuzz Rock
with a heavy punk based vocals to match. WAINGRO create some exciting
noise that fans of Every Time I Die and Cancer Bats will appreciate.
WAINGRO play some stunning riffs near the end of the song before the
screeching vocals takes the mood to another level of heaviness.
Second
track – Red Woods – opens with a fast-paced thrash/punk riff with
Brian’s hardcore snarling vocals being sung almost fast as the
music itself. The fuzz based Stoner riffs have a distinctive Psych
Rock quality which sees WAINGRO try something different with their
sound. It’s still a mean, loud and angry track with WAINGRO proving
they have something special about them.
Third
track – Pablo Verde – carries on the fast-paced
Punk/Sludge/Stoner Riffs with Brian on fine form once more. Nothing
much changes from the opening two tracks but Pablo Verde is still an
addictive slice of loud, heavy and distorted Stoner Rock.
Fourth
Track – Raleigh – is a psychedelic instrumental affair with
WAINGRO giving Brian’s vocals a well deserved rest as they play one
of the albums standout tracks. A heavy psychedelic riff-fest with the
Hardcore Punk vibe nowhere to be seen. It’s a shame this track is
over within 2 mins as I would love to hear an extended version of
this song. It’s a bass heavy affair with the fuzz-laiden guitars
adding something different to the album. Maybe next time guys…
Fifth
track – Mt Hood – is another one of the albums standout tracks. A
7 minute plus epic with the band opting for a heavier stripped back
approach. The guitars are played at a slow pace as the mood becomes
slightly brooding and gloomier as a result. Brian’s vocals undergo
a Thrashier/Doomier makeover as WAINGRO unleash the albums heaviest
tracks. It’s deliberately slow-paced and that allows the band to
create a more menacing approach to their music. This is Stoner Rock
with a demonic edge.
Sixth
Track – Black Eagle sees WAINGRO return to the albums earlier
sounds as they blast their way through 95 seconds of intense Stoner
Rock fury.
I
think you get the idea on how the rest of the album plays out. Loud
and heavy Sludge/Stoner riffs with the band on fine form through-out.
Other great tracks to check out: Nomad, Frontera and the blistering
final song – Orion. The more I listen to this album, the more I
appreciate it more and more as WAINGRO have created an album that’s
miles ahead of their debut album and one that will only enhance their
reputation as one of Canada’s best upcoming Stoner Rock/Metal
bands.
Words
by Steve Howe
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