Release
date: March 18th 2016. Label: When Planets Collide. Format: CD/DD
The
Grand Mal – S/T – Tracklisting
No
Man's Land
Black
Spiral
Pig
In The Python
Band
Members:
Elliot
Cole - Drums
Ryan
Cole - Guitar
Lee
Cressey - Guitar
Dave-O
- Vocals / Bass
Review:
The
Grand Mal is a Sludge/Stoner Rock made up by members from two of the
UK's finest Stoner Rock bands – Desert Storm and Mother Corona.
It's
to the band's credit they have created a sound so very different to
their respective bands. Dave-O has even switched from Drums to Bass
to perform on The Grand Mal. You have Lee from Mother Corona on
Guitars and Desert Storm's Elliot and Ryan on drums and guitars
respectively. So what do The Grand Mal have in store for you on their
debut release.
You
get 3 tracks dealing in heavy spaced out sludge/stoner rock riffs.
The EP has quite a soulful blues rock vibe but it's The Grand Mal's
use of psych rock that makes it come truly alive. Opening track –
No Man's Land is a pure sludgy stoner rock number with the band
creating great riffs from the start and the lyrics have quite a
playful edge to them. Dave-O is on confident form though I wouldn't
expect anything less from him as he's proven what a great vocalist he
is with Mother Corona.
Second
track – Black Spiral – is the heaviest and most spaced out song
on the EP as the band opt for a more trippy approach to their music.
I can detect a slight Alice In Chains vibe on this song and that's no
bad thing. As The Grand Mal inject psych rock riffs to keep their
sound rocking on all fronts. It's built on a simple premise but when
that premise is KICK-ASS RIFFS then these guys exploit that premise
for all it's worth to create a stunning hard rock magical opus.
Definitely the standout song on the EP. This is the song that shows
The Grand Mal have real potential to make a lasting impression.
The
final track – Pig in The Python is another round of heavy psych
sludge driven rock. The band are finally coming into their own sound.
Fans of Monster Magnet will be in their element here. A great mix of
Grunge, Stoner Metal blended with that cosmic psych sludge rock that
leave you wanting more. As this is the final song on this superb EP.
Why could they not include one more song to push the EP pass the 20
minute mark.
Apart
from that minor complaint, I'm very excited to hear The Grand Mal's
debut album as this EP only offers a brief glimpse of what is
possible from The Grand Mal. My advice, buy a copy of their debut EP
courtesy of the good folks over at When Planets Collide. As this EP
fucking rules and it's a must have release. Plain and Simple. Awesome
stuff.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to When Planets Collide for the promo. The Grand Mal – S/T EP will
be available to buy on CD/DD via When Planets Collide from March 18th
2016.
Links:
