Saturday 27 August 2016

ZQKMGDZ - Orbit Dualkraut (Album Review)


Release date: August 26th 2016. Label: Pink Tank Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

ORBIT DUALKRAUT – Tracklisting

1.Plasma Russian 05:30
2.Hypergiant 08:04
3.Monokraut Jupiter 11:24
4.Orbit Dualkraut 05:45
5.Ape Apocalypse Monkey Doom 14:29

Band Members:

Don Alfredo (Warpguitars & Roar)
Don Libido (Subwaves of Doom)
Don Fernando (Space Drums)

Review:

ZQKMGDZ or10.000 km² gegen die Zeit as they're officially called return with a new album. Their second album – Orbit Dualkraut, sees the band staying with Pink Tank Records who released their debut album. This album is a more experimental and heavier psychedelic affair compared to their debut. The sound has changed from their debut album with the mood being one of experimentation and a more laid-back style of riffs. That’s not to say the guys are slacking off as they’re not. Their focused and determined throughout the album.

The songs have a lo-fi sound as the album has quite a raw feel to it. The album feels that the band was going for a vintage seventies sound and for the most part they succeed. There’s a few moments where the production could have done with more work. Some parts feel rushed and others could have done with more volume being added to the mix. OK, apart from those minor complaints, this album is still a truly worthwhile album to have in your collection. The mixture of Stoner, Noise, Doom, Psych and Drone all heavily merged with an almost Garage Punk quality allows you to lose yourself in this spaced out ride. The instrumental work is impressive with the band showing a great ear for deep spaced out sounds that wouldn’t go amiss from an Ufomammut record.

The vocals are a mixture of clean vocals and heavy doom based growls that the band excels at. The five songs range from straight forward Doom/Stoner Metal to the more experimental Drone/Sludge Metal atmospherics. Especially on songs such as Hypergiant, Monokraut Jupiter and the superb final fifteen minute track – Ape Apocalypse Monkey Doom. Crazy title, I know but wait until you hear the song. It’s epic as they come as the band merge as many different sounds and noises they possibly can.

Fans of ZQKMGDZ debut album will find much to enjoy here. It’s a much better album as the band feels more comfortable with their music. If you’re new to the world of ZQKMGDZ then you may need to familiarize with their debut album first. As Orbit Dualkraut is a harder album to listen to and appreciate than their debut album. Though if you’re in the mood for something different then Orbit Dualkraut will entertain the hell out of you.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jan at Pink Tank Records for the promo. Orbit Dualkraut is now available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Pink Tank Records now.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp