Release
date: July 09th
2016. Label: Self Released. Format: DD/Vinyl
Mindless
Mass – Tracklisting
1.Degeneration 06:17
2.Ruins 03:18
3.Bad Shepherd 06:03
4.Unnamed 05:54
5.Synchronicity
03:39
6.No More TV 06:20
7.Feral 07:59
Band
Members
Filip Remans - Guitar, vox
Erik Heyns - Guitar, vox
Jouk Opdebeeck - Drums
Tristan Michiels - Bass, vox
Review
Wheel
Of Smoke new album - Mindless Mass - is a Prog Rock influenced kind
of Hard Rock/Stoner Rock. It has quite a classic sound to it with
modern flourishes of Stoner Rock. The vocals do take some time
getting used to. Though give it a few songs and you'll seen be right
at home especially if you're a long-time fan of Classic Rock, Hard
Rock and Stoner Rock. The production is good for the most part and
the instrumental work is the main highlight of the entire album.
Opening
track - Degeneration - is a fast moving number with heavy moments of
pure classic Desert Rock groove. It’s hard not to be swept away by
the infectious grooves of the whole album. It's a well put together
album with the seven songs showing a band their love for all things
loud Stoner Rock.
Second
track - Ruin - is more a punk/blues take on Stoner Rock with rough
and ready impressive vocals telling adding more flair. I dig
the rough and ready appeal of Wheel Of Smoke's music. As it has a
more direct approach and you can Wheel Of Smoke is a proper band.
They're not interested in a highly produced sound. They would rather
let their music do all the talking. It's high energy Punk/Stoner Rock
that sees the album contain a huge amount of great riffs.
Songs
such as: Bad Shepherd, Unnamed, No More TV and Feral - see Wizard Of
Smoke try their hand playing psych and grunge at different parts of
the album. The standout tracks have to be Bad Shepherd and Feral as
the band create perhaps the albums most exciting moments.
As
I stated before the instrumental work is the main highlight as the
band create a high amount of heavy moments to lose yourself in. The
second half of the album is where the album truly comes alive as
Wheel Of Smoke settle into a fine rhythm and creates some loud noise
for you to enjoy. It can be quite progressive, experimental and
psychedelic at times. This album is perhaps catered for the more
adventurous listener than the casual listener. As the mood and
delivery of the album changes at a frantic pace. It may be quite
off-putting for some but cool as heck for other.
Overall,
Mindless Mass is a hugely enjoyable album from start to finish. If
you want a rawer kind of Desert/Stoner Rock then Wheel Of Smoke is
the band for you.
Words
by Steve Howe
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