Release
date: February 19th
2016. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD
High
Plains – Tracklisting
Stone
Mountain Blues
Monolith
Nomad
Before
The Dawn
Mind
Control
White
Nights
Hell
Hath No Fury
Forefather
Black
Hawk
Acid
Tong
Down
75
Band
Members:
Bailey
Smith--guitar
Weston
Alford--drums
David
Merrill--vocals/bass
Review:
Youngblood
Supercult (YB) new album High Plains is a blues rock inspired
Fuzz/Stoner Metal odyssey highly influenced by Black Sabbath and Uncle Acid. The
album has a very cool trippy feel as YB create eleven songs drenched
in seventies style riffs with a few modern vibes appearing now and
again.
Lead
vocalist David is on majestic form throughout the album. His vocals
are a mix of world weary mysticism and one of knowledge and power.
Opening track – Stone Mountain Blues – is a straight forward
Blues/Stoner Rock instrumental track that sets up the scene well. The
song moves along at a leisurely pace but it shows you the style of
music that awaits for you for the next ten songs or so.
Second
track – Monolith – sees the band explore their love for Black
Sabbath in a big way especially with the fuzz based riffs but YB do
have their own style of psychedelic wonder. David’s vocals are very
powerful at times as the riffs contain a dreamlike vibe. The lyrics
have a slight bleak outlook on life merged with tales of old
Americana.
That’s
the vibe that I get from the song and most of the album. Lead
guitarist – Bailey – creates stunning riffs on the whole album as
she a great guitarist. The whole band is fantastic musicians as they
keep you entertained throughout. The rhythm section of Westen and
Dave on drums and bass respectively add much needed muscle to YB’s
music. OK, now back to the music.
Third
track – Nomad – is one of standout tracks on the album as YB
creates an almost surreal psychedelic trip layered with progressive
doom/stoner riffs. David’s superb vocals offer a blend of Classic
Doom Metal theatrics with the more modern based Fuzz/Stoner Rock
sounds will leave you nodding your head in agreement. Sure the lyrics
may not make much sense but who cares when the music is good as this.
Fourth
track – Before The Dawn – is an almost occult based Blues Rock
offering with the doomy atmosphere being slightly louder than before.
David’s vocals are drowned by the constant heavy riffs and it’s a
shame as this is perhaps David’s strongest vocal performance on the
album. Don’t let that put you off though as this is another great
track from YB and it finally proves this band is worth giving a damn
about.
The
album does contain other great songs you need to check out mainly
being – Mind Control, White Nights, Acid Tongue and Down 75. Though
I will admit the one song that I have the biggest issue with is
Forefather. Musically and vocally, Forefather is the best song on the
album. Expertly written riffs and sublime vocals from David. It’s a
trippy and wild psychedelic affair. However, it’s the lyrics that I
have the biggest issue with. They’re very repetitive and with David
singing them over and over again for most of the seven minute run
time, the song becomes slightly tiring very quickly. As I said I
can’t fault YB’s performance on the song. It’s the lyrics could
have done with more work.
Other
than that minor complaint YB have created a blues/doom/stoner metal
riff-fest you’ll never get bored of. As High Plains is a truly
stunning album that’s sure to get them more widely noticed
within the Doom/Stoner Metal community. All in all, Youngblood Supercult should be
proud of this album as High Plains is a must have record. Plain and
simple.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Bailey for the promo. High Plains will be available to buy on
CD/DD from February 19th 2016.
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