Release
date: May 12th 2017. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD
Red
Beard Wall – S/T – Tracklisting
1. Beauty In
2. I Am
3. Switching
Circuits
4. Alive
5. Born with a
Hammer
6. Top of the
Mountain
7. Bottom of a Well
8. March in Time
9. Beauty Out
Members:
Aaron Wall Vocals/ Guitar
George Trujillo Drums
Review
Time
for another release from Argonauta Records and this time we have the
debut album from Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal duo - Red Beard Wall. I've
been waiting anxiously for this album to arrive as I've thoroughly
enjoyed the little teasers I've heard through social media. Now it's
time for the main event. Red Beard Wall self-titled album is one that
will appeal to a wide majority of the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal
community.
Taking
cues from band such as Torche, Floor and the mighty CONAN. Red Beard
Wall play a more disjointed brand of Sludge/Stoner Metal. They have a
very cool punk driven sound lurking in the background. Some people
may have trouble getting used to the vocals. Though give that time as
it gives the album quite a unique sound.
Opening
track - Beauty In - has a familiar Torche/Floor feel but it has quite
a solid addictive and heavy edge with the guitars working superbly
well with the drums. It's an instrumental song that shows the
listener what kind of music to expect on the rest of the album. The
production is handled superbly well from the start.
Second
track - I Am - opens with a heavy pounding riff with moments of Noise
Rock allowing for the dual vocals to appear. A mixture of clean and
harsh vocals work surprisingly well and this is where you start to
feel the DIY Punk vibe that the band play so well. The lyrics may
have a simple feel but they're strangely addictive as Red Beard Wall
delve further into classic grunge sounds.
Third
track - Switching Circuits - opens with a cool psych/distorted riff
that allows the band to play a slower style of sludge rock. It has
quite a drone based feel. but the heavy vocals are never too far
behind.
Fourth
track - Alive - has quite a "poppy" feel but buried under a
ton of dirty heavy sludgy grunge and stoner sounds. The band have
written some playful lyrics as well to make this one of the standout
tracks on the album. Top marks to the production yet again as this
sounds super fresh.
The
whole album has quite a rebellious and playful attitude. For a duo these guys are remarkably heavy
whilst creating a poppier kind of sound. Though I've now learnt that
Aaron recorded this album all by himself.
Obviously
Red Beard Wall aren't the first band to do this kind of sound. Nor will they be the
last. I admire bands that can merge the heavier sludge sounds against
a more "radio-friendly" style sound. Torche and Floor are
perhaps the innovators of the sound that Red Beard Wall play so
brilliantly well.
Don't worry though as Red Beard Wall are primarily a Heavy Rock/Metal band first. As the second half of the album veers into into Doom/Sludge Rock territory with songs such as Born With A Hammer, March In Time and Beauty Out. Red Beard Wall's debut album is one of those albums that I wish was on slightly longer. As the album runs for a brisk thirty five minutes.
Don't worry though as Red Beard Wall are primarily a Heavy Rock/Metal band first. As the second half of the album veers into into Doom/Sludge Rock territory with songs such as Born With A Hammer, March In Time and Beauty Out. Red Beard Wall's debut album is one of those albums that I wish was on slightly longer. As the album runs for a brisk thirty five minutes.
My
final thoughts on Red Beard Wall's debut album is an exciting and
action packed album with its playful take
on all things Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal. Excellent and Highly
Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks to Barbara at
NeeCee Agency for the promo. Red Beard Wall S/T debut album will be
available to buy on CD/DD via Argonauta Records from May 12th
2017.
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