Release
date: November 04th 2016. Label: Kozmik Artifactz. Format:
CD/DD/Vinyl.
Atacama
– Tracklisting
1.Gold
From Sand 03:37
2.Overload
10:43
3.Lost
In Time 06:32
4.Descent
05:45
5.Drifted
Away From the Sun 08:37
6.Flower
04:27
7.Shot
Down, Banged Up, Fade Away 06:33
8.Last
Song 04:52
Members:
Steve
- Lead Guitar & Vocals
Tim
- Bass
Mario
- Drums
Review:
Borracho
return from the wilderness with their third full length record –
Atacama. Borracho’s sound has matured from their previous albums as
the band embrace the heavier side of their Desert/Stoner riffs.
Atacama
is named after the following – Atacama is the driest place on
earth. A vast wasteland, to pass through it inevitably affects the
traveler in profound ways. As the body crosses miles of barren
landscape, the mind looks inward, examining itself, unsure of what is
there and unprepared for what it will find. With time and distance,
the harsh conditions conspire with the traveler's distracted
subconscious to present a reality very different than it is. How this
new reality is interpreted can be a dangerous and powerful journey.
This is the soundtrack to that journey.
Opening
track – Gold From Sand – has a classic style of Desert Rock and
Stoner based grooves with a modern Fuzz sound. The album itself has a
rough feel to it with the production still allows the album to sound
crisp, clear and remarkably fresh. Lead vocalist – Steve – may
not have the most delicate of vocal chords but he excels with his
grizzled vocals adding a more dynamic feel. Gold From Sand fades out
naturally before the standout song on the album appears.
Second
track – Overload – is eleven minutes of trippy and far out
psychedelic riffs with the band adding different layers of heavy
distorted noise. Soundclips appear telling a story of sorts before
the band opt for a more slow-paced delivery with the riffs becoming
heavier once again. Borracho have taken some ethics from the DIY/Punk
scene as the vocals yet again sound very raw with the tone of the
album being one of rebellion at times. The main attraction here is
the RIFFS as Borracho need to hold your attention throughout the epic
runtime with elements of Progressive Rock starting to appear.
Third
track – Lost In Time – is a more Psychedelic Fuzz Rock affair
with the bands sound taking influence from Monster Magnet at times.
Borracho take a step-back from their Stoner sounds and remain in the
Psychedelic Fuzz world with the band writing some of the best lyrics
held on the album. Lost In Time ends with some heavy distorted riffs
and noises that see the band venture into doomier waters on the next
track.
Fourth
track – Descent – sees Borracho opt for a more Doom/Gloom
approach to the album and it’s a welcome sound. It allows the band
to create a more sinister sound compared to the other songs on the
album. Descent is purely an instrumental affair with the band
experimenting with their sound by adding bells and chimes to the mix.
Borracho
return to their familiar Desert/Fuzz/Stoner Rock sounds on the second
half of the album. Fifth track – Drifted Away From The Sun – has
an eerie feel to it with the band playing a more subdued style of
Desert/Stoner Rock. That soon gives way to a heavier style of riffs
with vocalist – Steve – laying down some angry vocals at
different parts of the song. The fuzzier sounds is what holds
everything together as it allows Borracho to create a more expansive
sound that some fans maybe used to.
The
final three songs – Flower, Shot Down, Banged Up, Fade Away and
Last Song – carries on the epic sounds the band created on the
earlier tracks. Flower has a more laid back feel with Borracho
creating delicate noises and slowly played riffs. Another standout
track on the album as I didn’t expect the band to add a
min-orchestra of sorts. Flower is perhaps Borracho’s
“lighter/mobile in the air” song where everyone at a live gig sit
backs and embraces the magic on stage. Flower has that vibe. It’s a
magical sounding track and one that was stuck in my head for days.
I
remember reviewing Borracho’s previous album as I called them one
of the best power trio’s currently on the Stoner Rock scene. I
still stand by that as Borracho capture the essence of the classic
nineties Stoner Rock/Metal scene but give it a more modern feel by
adding elements of Psychedelic Fuzz. Atacama is another stunning
record from Borracho but this is perhaps the album that changes
everything for the band. As I can see them only building upon this
huge album. An outstanding album.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Kozmik Aritfactz for the promo. Atacama is available to buy on CD,
DD and Vinyl (due early 2017) from Kozmik Artifactz Records now.