Release
date: October 20th 2017. Label: Totem Cat Records. Format:
CD/DD/VInyl
Turning
Electric – Tracklisting
1. The Dawn Of The
Falcon
2. Turning Electric
3. Cathexis/Mask Of
Transformation
4. Ajaghandi
5. They Live
6. Master Sorcerer
Members
Spacewülff -
Interstellar Howls/Geetarrrgh
Sönik Slöth -
Supercosmic overdrive pedalinfused guitarvoid
Döômdögg -
Dronemachinated AUM
Cëlestïal Cöbra -
Conjurer of souls through ritual drums
Review
Spectral Haze return
with their new album - Turning Electric - and their first release for
their new label - Totem Cat Records. Turning Electric sees Spectral
Haze taking the bold and bravado from legendary Stoner Rockers
Monster Magnet and the classic psychedelic sounds of the mighty
Hawkwind. With the album being a very exciting and fast paced affair.
The opening track - The
Dawn Of The Falcon - opens with a psychedelic whirlwind exploding
into a myriad of different sounds. Before the heavy stoner riffs and
high calibre vocals of Spacewülff appear. The song runs frantically
with its Hawkwind inspired space rock vibes before fully exploding
into a Monster Magnet style rhythm. The vocals are very good indeed.
Not the most original of vocals but they have quite a flair about
them. The music on the other hand is vibrant with the band playing a
faster and more fluid style of Space/Stoner Rock. The only thing that
I didn't enjoy about this song was the constant piano sounds that
slows the mood right down.
Second song - Turning
Electric - carries on the same mood and atmosphere from the opening
track and unfortunately the piano makes another brief appearance. The
lyrics are very cool indeed. Simply written but with a catchy
sing-along chorus. The whole mood of the song is very fast indeed
with Spectral Haze adding weirder and wonderfully psychedelic spaced
out sounds to the mix.
Third track -
Cathexis/Mask Of Transformation - has a more classic fuzz rock feel
with the band also adding a doomier feel. The vocals have a more
"heavy-metal" feel compared to other songs on the album
with vocalist Spacewülff changing styles at different parts of the
song. Though they have a distinctive Dave Wyndorf vibe to them. The
second part of the song sees Spectral Haze enter into "Earthless"
jam-based psychedelic rock territory. This song is the standout song
on the album. As it's quite epic at times.
The next two songs
Ajaghandi and They Live - offer almost thirteen minutes of superbly
played Psych/Stoner Rock. The fuzzy guitars make Spectral Haze's
sound standout even more. As the whole tone of the album becomes
decidedly clearer and louder. There are quite a few demonic sounding
laughs lurking in the background that adds a sense of devilish fun to
the whole flow and feel of the album.
The final track -
Master Sorcerer - has a more world weary vibe compared to the other
songs on the album. As the riffs are doomier and slightly sinister in
tone. Spectral Haze approach this song with a sense of dread with the
band writing truly "classic" doom metal sounding lyrics.
This song shows you that the band are not all about space rock
theatrics. As they create a good old fashioned sounding doom metal
song. Sure, there are strands of heavy psychedelic stoner rock
appearing within the song but it's the not-so-subtle doomier vibes
that hold your attention. I would have loved to hear the band play
this style of music more on the album. Maybe next time....
Turning Electric is a
superb album from Spectral Haze and it's one that offers genuine
moments of true excitement within the Doom/Stoner Metal world.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Turning Electric will be
available to buy via Totem Cat Records on CD/DD/Vinyl from October
20th 2017.
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