Release
date: May 05th 2016. Label: Setalight. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Dakota
– Tracklisting
1.Arezooye
Bahar 06:34
2.Iktsuarpok
06:42
3.Dakota
07:40
4.Cross
The Line 07:13
5.Intergalactic
Hunt 05:12
6.Overrun
06:34
7.Kodokushi
05:23
Band
Members:
Behrang
Alavi (git,vox)
Stephan
Voland (drums, bvox)
Andreas
Voland (bass, bvox)
Review:
Before
I listened to Samavayo’s new album – Dakota – I thought this
was their debut album and that they wore their musical influences too
close to their chest. Parts Truckfighters with a more vibrant and
livelier Middle Eastern based sound. So I was rather surprised when I
discovered Dakota was their fifth album and they’ve been playing
the same sound over the last few albums. From that discovery I’ve
had to rewrite this review a few times now to the one you’re
reading now.
Dakota
is a very weird album. Parts Fuzz, Psych, Stoner and Grunge with
songs sung in different languages. Opening track – Arezooye Bahar –
is sung in a Middle Eastern dialect. Samavayo create a psychedelic
wonderland of spaced out fuzz rock magic where the sounds are very
mysterious to listen to at times. Fans of Truckfighters will no doubt
enjoy the high energy fuzz based riffs.
Second
track – Iktsuarpok – opts for a more laid back psychedelic vibe
with layers of Stoner Rock/Metal adding a more progressive feel.
Samavayo feel they were influenced by TOOL on this song as it has a
familiar dynamic that legendary band is known for. That’s not a bad
thing as Samavayo still create some of the albums most exciting
moments. The vocals can be very jarring at times but they’re
handled superbly well.
Third
track – Dakota – sees the band change the tone of the album yet
again with a grungier based sound. The progressive moments from the
previous song are there as well but this song remains a more
traditional Stoner Rock/Metal number. The riffs have quite a choppy
effect as they stop and start for short intervals throughout the
song. The lively chorus soon gets you in the mood to fully rock out.
Fourth
track – Cross The Line – is where the band finally starts to feel
comfortable with their own sound. Or it could be the listener will
start to feel more comfortable with the progressive craziness being
played here. Whichever way you look at it, Samavayo unleash heavy
psych stoner rock/metal riffs with a playful progressive vibe running
through out.
The
final three songs – Intergalactic Hunt, Overrun and Kodokushi
follow on the same style of Progressive Stoner Metal riffs heard on
the previous songs. It can be very tiresome to listen to at times but
you only have to wait a few moments for the band to create some
genuine moments of excitement and you’re back rocking out like
there’s no tomorrow. Kodokushi is perhaps the best song on the
album as it blends elements of Psych, Stoner, Fuzz and Prog Rock for
something wholly original.
The
production on the album is handled very well though there are moments
where the volume is too high and you can’t understand what is being
played around you especially with the vocals losing some momentum
here and there. Overall, Dakota is a daring, bold and quite
experimental album. Give this album some time to fully understand and
appreciate as you will richly be rewarded with a few daring riffs
along the way.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Dakota is available to buy
on CD/DD/Vinyl now.
Links:
