Release
date: November 12th 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: DD
271
- Tracklisting
1.Ladoux Snare
08:07
2.Moonchild 09:13
3.Eye of the Dawn
08:48
Members
Crystal
Bigelow - Vocal
Jeremy
Allen - Bass
Craig
Shadix - Guitar
Eric
Bigelow - Drums
Review
Ember
- return with their second EP - 271 - that contains three tracks
which focuses more on the Psychedelic Doom side of life. Expertly
produced with Ember on inspired form right from the start. The EP is
steeped in seventies sounding doom rock with the modern sounding
Psych Blues Rock that's a lot of female fronted bands are starting to
do at the moment. Ember’s new EP is superb with the band even
showing flashes of originality throughout the EP.
Opening
track - Ladoux Snare - is a more lucid affair with the band adding
elements of sixties trippy psychedelic rock before the heavy
doom/stoner sounds that appear. It's very slow paced at times with
Ember adopting a more experimental and alternative rock approach. The
lyrics feel slightly out of pace against the doom and gloom backdrop
but the vocals from Crystal save the day with Ember slowly settling
down into a more emotional rhythm.
Second
track - Moonchild - opens with a speech from the classic children's
movie - The Never Ending Story. One of my favourite films growing up
in the eighties. So kudos for the band using that brief sample. The
song then moves onto a classic sounding Black Sabbath style riff.
Slow pounding drums and heavy guitars creating a vintage sounding
doom and gloom based atmosphere. The mood then changes to a more
emotionally charged psychedelic blues rock vibe. The slow paced riffs
allow lead vocalist Crystal to expand her vocal range quite
dramatically in places.
Third
track - Eye Of The Dawn - has a heavy mixture of grunge, doom and
stoner rock with a twinge of gothic style delivery. The vocals from
Crystal are very emotional at times and can be quite gloomy as well.
Maybe Ember has taken influence more from Chelsea Wolfe and Black
Sabbath on this record. The heavy riffs do take their time to appear
but when they do they are precise with Ember showing a fine ear for
detail especially during the more melodic parts.
271
is a very dramatic and emotionally charged EP that should hopefully
find a loyal following within the Doom/Psych/Stoner Rock community.
Words
by Steve Howe
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