Tuesday 3 January 2017

Dead Otter - Pathfinder (EP Review)



Release date: October 26th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Pathfinder – Tracklisting

1.Stoner Devil 06:24
2.Open my eyes.. seen enough now 06:49
3.The Whangy 03:07
4.Pathfinder 07:53

Band Members

Drums - Scott Falconer
Bass - Gav Riddell
Guitar & Vocals - John Riddell
Guitar - Omar Aborida

Review

Glaswegian Stoner Rockers – Dead Otter – released their debut EP back in October 2016. It's taking me some time to get my shit together and review their debut EP. Which I can only apologize to the band for. Anyway, what can you expect with Dead Otter. How about a band playing spaced out stoner riffs with some nice touches of classic hard rock/prog metal being added here and there.

The first track Stoner Devil is primarily an Instrumental Stoner Rock songs with some impressive jam based rock being played throughout. It's nothing we haven't heard before but Dead Otter keep the mood fresh and loud.

Second track - Open My Eyes.. seen enough now – sees Dead Otter venture into Monster Magnet Tab Era territory. Dronish vocals and hazy psychedelic jams that has a fresh spin on all things Prog Stoner Rock. The second half of the song is very different to the first half with Dead Otter leaving the dronish vocals behind for a more commanding performance.

Third track – The Whangy – is a more straight-forward Stoner Rock number lasting around 3 minutes but it still allows Dead Otter to create one hell of a racket. It's perhaps the most fun song on the album as Dead Otter prove they can get down and boogie with the best Stoner Rock bands currently out there.

The final track – Pathfinder – is the standout track on the album as Dead Otter combine Eastern based sounds with classic psychedelic stoner rock riffs. It does take time for the song to finally get moving but I was more impressed with the instrumental work on show. As the guys can really play. Is that surprising as one of the members (Omar) is part of legendary Space Rock collective - The Cosmic Dead. So these guys can play.

Pathfinder is a superb debut EP. I hope Dead Otter have more releases coming this year. As I have a feeling that we need a full length album to experience the “real” Dead Otter or see them live in concert if you can.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

PS – No Otters were harmed in the making of this EP. As the guys are 100% Otter friendly.

Words by Steve Howe

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