Release
date: August 19th
2016. Label: Meta Matter Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Heavy
Burden – Tracklisting
1.Heavy
Burden
2.Black
Sun 05:01
3.Naked
4.Dead
Summer Day
5.The
Whistling Tree
6.Cloudless
Sunstreams
7.Future
Footprints
8.Timeless
Illusion
9.Dancing
In The Summer Rain
10.The
Dwarves Revenge
11.Outro
Band
Members:
Mathis
Straub - drums
Sven
Heimerdinger - bass guitar
Oliver
Großhans - guitars
Uwe
Groebel - guitars/ vocals
Review:
Naevus
(Stoner Psych band from Germany, not to be confused with the British
experimental band of the same name) have been absent from the scene
for a few years (to say the least). The last full length offering
from them was in 1998, “Sun Meditation” on Rise Above Records.
They released a handful of rare tracks and covers along the way, but
were mostly silent during that time. The band had officially got back
together in 2012 and has released the soon to be classic, “Heavy
Burden”.
In
true classic/vintage doom (think Sabbath, Pentagram and early NWOBHM)
the riff rules! If you are a wah fan, this is some of the best
sounding wah on record! The twin guitar attack is done very well,
each taking their own tone and filling up the sonic wall that is
Naevus.
Their
use of dynamics is what really sets “Heavy Burden” apart. They
set up galloping sections with grand walk down passages and aren’t
afraid to sit on a riff. The vocals are sung, yes sung! They tend to
stick to tried and true subject matter, but it doesn’t sound
contrived or forced. There’s a ton of Ozzy in the vocal production,
but that has been missing from a lot of bands as of late; in my
opinion.
Naevus
swings these tracks like they should. In a world of odd time
signatures and math rock, it’s refreshing to feel your head nod in
that familiar groovy way. Stand out tracks for me are; Black Sun,
Dead Summer Day and Dancing In The Summer Rain.
If
I were to have one criticism it would have to be that the whole album
is a bit clean. The mix could have been a bit rawer. Is that a
complaint? Not at all, all the parts have their space and are given
equal time in the spectrum. I would love to see how this plays live,
with volume and the fever of a crowd. I bet it’s HUGE! Fans of
Black Sabbath, Trouble, Pentagram and tasty wah should grab this,
turn down the lights for a few hours and enjoy repeated listenings!!
Words
by Bill Bensen
Thanks
to Timon at Mountain Range PR for the promo. Heavy Burden will be
available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Meta Matter Records from August
19th 2016.
Links:
