Release
date: June 26th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: DD
II
– Tracklisting
1.Mirage
05:36
2.Against
The Rain 05:41
3.A
Bridge Too Far 06:30
4.Smoke
05:48
Band
Members:
Vocals
- Andy Valiant
Guitar
- Kevin
Bass
- Scott
Drums
- Clinton
Review:
Psychedelic
Desert/Stoner Rockers – Oak, hail from London, United Kingdom but
going by this EP they could have easily grew up around the legendary
Californian Desert Rock/Stoner Rock scene. As they have perfectly
captured that classic Stoner Rock sound with layers of distorted
Desert/Fuzz Rock.
Their
new EP – II, sees Oak play a heavier blend of Stoner Rock/Metal
compared to their debut EP, I which was released in November 2015.
Opening track – Mirage – is a hard rocking number with Oak
providing a commanding presence right from the start. The riffs have
a certain Kyuss/Fu Manchu vibe to them but Oak really started to
impress me when they started playing a heavier blues rock kind of
sound. Andy's vocals are not your usual Desert/Stoner Rock sound as
he adds a determined steel like vibe to proceedings.
Second
track – Against The Rain – offers a more psychedelic doom based
atmosphere that allows Oak to play a more laid-back style kind of
stoner rock. It's still heavy as hell but the lyrics and Andy's
vocals are more personal. Though when things become heavier it's good
to hear Oak paying homage to their musical heroes whilst creating
their own musical legacy.
The
final two tracks – A Bridge Too Far and Smoke continue the heavy
Desert/Stoner Rock sound where Andy's vocals are built upon
fast-paced riffs you're never bored with. The amount of FUZZ is what
holds your attention as these guys could give Truckfighters a run for
their money.
A
Bridge Too Far does take a little while longer to get going but
that's cool as Oak experiment with their sound as they create a more
slower style of music that we are used to from them. The blues based
moments slow the mood right down and it can drag a little but you can
never keep a great band down as Oak soon return to their fast-paced
sound.
My
final thoughts on II, is that Oak have delivered another
well-produced EP that all fans of the Desert/Stoner Rock scene should
definitely check out now. It's a much better release than their debut
EP and it shows Oak show true potential for hopefully their full
length album. Check this out and embrace the magical world of OAK.
Words
by Steve Howe
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