Release
date: March 04th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD
72
– Tracklisting
I)
Prologue 1972
II)
Dead or Dreaming
III)
Seventies Pigs
IV)
Agatha
V)
Black Fin
VI)
To Hear You
VII)
She Waits
Band
Members:
Jason
Taylor - Vocals, Guitars
Robbie
Carvalho - Bass, Guitars, Piano
Review:
Sierra's
new EP – 72 – sees the band move away from the sound they created
on their acclaimed debut album, P-Slip released back in 2013. The
Stoner Metal vibes have been replaced by an almost operatic style
prog rock sound.
Truth
be told I heard this EP months ago as Jason kindly provided me with a
copy to listen to. I actually met Jason last year in person and he
told me what this EP was about and I was shocked as the concept of
the EP is based on a true story. I'll let the PR sheet info tell you
what the EP is all about:
“72
tells the story of a murder that took place in their hometown of
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario back in the 1970s.
The
concept is based on a true story, which was told to
vocalist/guitarist Jason Taylor. A man, now in his sixties, told
Jason about how his girlfriend was taken and murdered by a group of
men on her sixteenth birthday. Unfortunately, he was the last person
seen with her alive, and he was accused and harassed by the town and
police for a solid year. It wasn't until one of the men killed
himself and in a suicide note admitted what he had done that he was
cleared of all charges.”
That's
pretty much how Jason explained the concept of the EP last year. I
was thinking at the time this is going to be an awesome record or it could be an overblown mess. Though I'm happy to report 72 is an
excellent record. It sees Sierra create a heavy and monolithic
prog-rock odyssey which draws influences from Opeth, Pink Floyd and
even The Who. Jason's vocals are reminiscent of Mikael Åkerfeldt at
times.
The
instrumental work is superb through-out as Sierra hold your attention
with finely tuned prog riffs. Some people will miss the Stoner sounds
of P-Slip but even that album had moments of Prog Rock on some of the
songs.
With
the EP based on a disturbing and bleak subject matter, Sierra create
a heavy doom and gloom atmosphere even on the quieter acoustic parts.
It's a challenging listen but one that richly rewards you for your
time and patience spent listening to the record. Jason told me some
bold plans about this EP and how he wants to perform it live. Just
like some of the legendary bands that influenced Sierra when
recording this EP. I hope he manages to pull it off and someone
manages to record the event. As if this EP is performed live in it's
entirety then that will be something special.
Anyway,
I digress. 72 is a masterclass of Prog Rock that you should all check out now especially if you're new to the heavy prog sounds of SIERRA. Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Jason for the CD to review and Earsplit PR for the promo. 72 is
available to buy on CD/DD now.
