OAK
– S/T – Tracklisting
1.All
Above 04:51
2.Queen
Of This Land 02:41
3.Ride
With Me 07:18
4.Dissolve
05:17
Band
Members:
Vocals
- Andy
Guitar
- Kevin
Bass
- Scott
Drums
- Sergiu
Review:
Heavy
Desert/Stoner Rock Band – OAK – hail from London, UK and it seems
they're a fairly new band only starting in April 2015. The guys have
just released their debut S/T EP and it's a blast of good old
fashioned Desert/Stoner Rock riffs with the right amount of Psych
Rock thrown in for good measure.
Fans
of Kyuss, QOTSA and Truckfighters will no doubt find much to enjoy
here as OAK create some heavy psych riffs with a hint of Doom
appearing here and there. Opening track - All Above – is the
perfect introduction from the band as it shows you what they're all
about. Heavy and trippy sounds blended with some damn fine spaced out
riffs. Lead vocalist – Andy – has fire in his belly as he shouts,
sings and screams with supreme confidence. Sure he doesn't have the
most polished of vocals but it's the perfect fir for OAK's blend of
Stoner Rock.
Second
track – Queen Of This Land – reminds me of UK based Sludge/Noise
Rockers – Bad Guys especially with the Punk based delivery of the
guitars and Andy's demonic out of control vocals. It has shades of
90s Alt Rock appearing from time to time but it's a great song to let
out any pent up aggression you may have.
Third
track – Ride With Me – is the best song on the album. A blues
rock laiden Psych/Doom/Stoner Rock epic that contains layers of
different noises to prove OAK have something special about them.
Andy's vocals once again don't seem the natural fit at first but give
it time and he will soon win you round. Though it's the riffs that
will hold your attention here as OAK create some heavy fucked up
moments you want to hear over and over again.
The
final track – Dissolve – is a more straight-forward Psych/Desert
Rock affair with the band opting for a more stripped back approach
compared to the other songs. It's perhaps Andy's weakest vocal
performance on the EP. He still delivers a very solid performance but
I preferred Andy's vocals on the other tracks when he was loud
and full of angry confidence. Apart from that minor complaint this is
a great way to end the EP with. As OAK leave you begging for more. It
would have been great if the band included one more song but it's
always good for a band leaving you wanting more. Maybe on the next EP
or hopefully full length record.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
