Release
date: February 26th
2016. Label: Napalm Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Rise
Above The Meadow – Tracklisting
1.
A Million Fireflies
2.
Funeral Pyre
3.
Howl
4.
Golden Throne
5.
Carry Out The Ribbons
6.
Levitate And Bow (Pt. 1 & 2)
7.
You’re Gonna Be My Ruin
8.
Tyrants Tongue
9.
Pilgrims
10.
High And Low (Bonus Track)
Band
Members:
Tommi
Holappa - Guitar
Sebastian
Olsson - Drums
Hans
Fröhlich - Bass
Arvid
Jonsson - Vocals
Review:
Swedish
stoner rockers Greenleaf have been making waves in their respective
field of music since their initial rumblings back in the year 2000.
Having formed as an offshoot of brilliant Swedish stoner bands Dozer,
Lowrider and Demon Cleaner it was of no surprise that Greenleaf were
just as good at creating those hazy and heavy riffs.
Fast
forward 16 years and while some members of the band have changed
(Arvid Jonsson is the Greenleaf vocalist for this release, his second
album for the band) the sound has not and the hazy and heavy riffs
that the sound is built on is still there and sounds all the better
for it.
So,
yes the riffs are still all present and correct obviously but with
the addition of Jonsson as vocalist, following 2014s Trails &
Passes album, the band have morphed even more than their previous
album into a cross between their stoner roots and an almost classic
rock orientated sound and this works very well in a Kyuss meets a
heavier Deep Purple way with the focus on the hugely entertaining
riffs at the forefront.
A
Million Fireflies, the opening track on Rise Above The Meadows sets
things up nicely with its high octane and feel-good vibe (check out
the superb video for the song) and shows that the band haven't lost
their knack for a catchy song, pummelling riffs and all.
The
rest of the album is just as good as this frenzied opening , cranking
up the riffs throughout, with tracks like the magnificently anthemic
mid-paced swagger of Howl, the sprawling epic rock of Levitate And
Bow (Pt 1 & 2), the riff-led boogie of Golden Throne (which is
reminiscent of Clutch who the band recently supported on tour, a bill
made in riff heaven if ever there was one,) the titanic riffage of
You're Gonna Be My Ruin and the bruising Tyrants Tongue all
highlights on this delight of an album, an album that begs to be
listened to as soon as the last notes ring out at the end of the
album.
Fans
of the band will already know what to expect and will be eagerly
anticipating their latest fix of prime Swedish stoner rock and they
will delighted with what they hear and for the uninitiated (and they
need to get familiar with the band quickly) a plethora of riffs and
good times awaits them, this is good time riff fuelled rock and long
may the band continue doing this.
Words
by Gavin Brown
Links:
Thanks
to Mona at Napalm Records PR for the promo. Rise Above The Meadow
will be released on CD/DD/Vinyl from Napalm Records on Feb 26th
2016.
