Release
date: July 01st
2016. Label: Pink Tank Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
The
Zenith Cracks – Tracklisting
1.Off
The Cuff
2.Murderous
Ways
3.The
Crux
4.Inbred
5.Helle
6.Steal
My Thunder
7.City
Of The Sun
8.Spoil
Band
Members:
Sampo
Kurki - guitar, vocals
Marco
Menestrina - bass, vocals
Valtteri
Lindholm - drums
Review:
The
Retro Doom/Stoner/Hard Rock Scene has taken off quite considerably
over the last few years thanks to bands such as Graveyard and
Kadavar. Both of whom have released stunning records over the years.
Kadavar especially with Berlin in 2015. What does this has to do with
Kaleidobolt's new album – The Zenith Cracks. Well Kaleidobolt are
one of the new breed of Hard Rock/Retro/Stoner Rock bands starting to
gain notice with their blend of Heavy Psychedelic and Progressive
Stoner Rock.
The
Zenith Cracks is a much different sound to their acclaimed S/T debut
album. The Zenith Cracks sees the band opt for a more psychedelic and
far out sound as the two opening tracks – Off The Cuff and
Murderous Ways – open the floodgates to a world of heavy and
psychedelic prog/stoner riffs. The vocals are firmly rooted in the
classic era of 60s/70s Hard Rock/Psych Rock.
Kaleidobolt
experiment with their sound by opting for a more jam-based style with
their music. The album has a lot more freakout moments as the band
veer off into different directions especially on 3rd track
– The Crux. Don't worry though as Kaleidobolt still retain their
signature classic vintage sound.
I
will say the 2nd half of the album is a lot more exciting
than the first half. That's not to say the 1st half is
bad, far from it, the band have written some hugely memorable riffs.
It's when the album reaches song no 5 – Helle - is where the album
truly starts coming alive with vibrant noise and sonic
experimentation. Helle is a cool sounding instrumental track before
the real fireworks start with Steal My Thunder. As the band play a
faster style of progressive hard rock that allows the band to create
some stunning guitar solos with intense drumming holding it all
together.
The
final two tracks - City Of The Sun and Spoil – sees Kaleidobolt
turn into a more Doom/Occult Rock style band as the riffs become
slightly doomier and gloomier in places. It helps that both tracks
run past the 9 minute and 10 minute mark respectively. It's a sombre
and distorted affair that shows you how inventive these guys can
really be.
Final
track Spoil is the stand-out track on the album as it's quite a
creepy affair with distorted guitars merging for one nightmarish
freak based sound. The band make clever use of ambient noises and
distorted riffs with a huge sideline in murky psychedelic rock.
The
Zenith Cracks is a well produced album as everything sounds superb
throughout. The Zenith Crack is a thrilling record to listen to. I
applaud Kaleidobolt for doing something vastly different to their
debut album. Check it out. You won't be sorry.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Jan at Pink Tank Records for the promo. The Zenith Cracks will be
available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Pink Tank Records from July 1st
2016.
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