Release
date: November 14th
2016. Label: Stone Groove Records. Format: CD/DD
Desert
Queen – Tracklisting
Obelisk
Titan
All
These Walls
Church
Of Misery
Hurricane
Chariot
Hazy
Eye
Crone
Desert
Queen
Stoner
Cat (Coming To)
Band Members:
Liam
- Vocals
Laurence
- Lead Guitar
Greg
- Rhythm Guitar
Aaron
- Bass Guitar
Jack
- Drums
Review:
Duskwood's
debut album - Desert Queen - is a loud and boisterous take on
Desert/Stoner Rock. It has a certain vintage grunge and punkish blues
rock based charm to it though the band isn’t afraid to add levels
of Psychedelic based Fuzz. The band takes similar ideas that QOTSA
and Truckfighters created back in the day. The first two opening
tracks - Obelisk and Titan - give you the impression that Duskwood
have put a lot of time and thought into their music.
The
riffs are played with a knowing swagger and vibrant energy. The
vocals from Liam take some time getting used to. As there more suited
to Grunge style theatrics and not the Desert/Stoner Rock world.
Duskwood don't rest on their laurels as they build upon the albums
early sounds into something more meaningful especially on Church Of
Misery, Hurricane, Crone, Desert Queen and Stoner Cat (Coming To).
The
vocals have a certain aggression to them on different parts of the
album. Even after listening to the album about four or five times,
you begin to notice that this is quite an angry album in places.
Despite the warm fuzzy/desert riffs the album duly contains. Duskwood
start to apply classic sounding Hard Rock/Heavy Metal based jams into
their sound on one the albums strongest tracks – Hazy Eye.
My
favourite parts of the album is when Duskwood start playing
progressive guitar solos as they have a real flair for creating
progressive stoner based noises. The production of the album is
handled superbly well as the album contains its fair share of loud
moments.
The
only criticism I have is with the lyrics as they sound very
old-fashioned at times compared to the more modern sounding stoner
based riffs. Maybe I'm being too harsh on the band as Desert Queen is
a fantastic sounding album. It captures the vibrant, spirit and
energy of the iconic Desert/Stoner Rock scenes over the last twenty
years or so.
It’s
hard to believe that these guys are currently unsigned as Desert
Queen is such a great album. If any independent labels are looking
for new talent then sign these guys up. Duskwood are perhaps one of
the best of the new breed of UK based Stoner Rock/Metal bands that
are worth keeping an eye on.
Words
by Steve Howe
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