Release
date: November 10th 2017. Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Format:
CD/DD/Vinyl
Somnuri
– S/T – Tracklisting
1.Kaizen
2.Inhabitant
3.Same
Skies
4.Slow
Burn
5.Opaque
6.Welcome
The Stranger
7.Pulling
Teeth
8.Through
The Dead
Members
Justin
Sherrell (guitars/vocals)
Phil
SanGiacomo (drums)
Drew
Mack (bass)
Drums
and guitars recorded with Jeff Berner
Review
Somnuri are another one
of the rising bands creating a very different sounding style of
Sludge/Stoner Metal. As they merge Sludge, Stoner, Noise Rock, Doom,
Punk and even Thrash Metal for a heavy cohesive sound. Their debut
album is not for the purists but one perhaps for the more
experimental hard rock/metal fan who like their music to sound very
different and a little edgy at times.
Opening track - Kaizen
- is fully formed fast and furious offering with the band providing
heavy thrash vocals against a punk driven Sludge/Stoner Metal
backdrop that also has elements of Math Rock and Prog Metal to
confuse you even more. Even with the music being slightly chaotic,
Somnuri do manage to create an easy going atmosphere that reminds me
of Torche and Baroness in places. The music maybe different but Somnuri possess a similar environment that only endures you to their
music even more.
Second track -
Inhabitant - opens with a Southern Sludge/NOLA style riff with the
sound being firmly driven by a harsh noise environment. The riffs are
plentiful with the harsh and intense growls from lead singer –
Justin - allowing the band to show another different side to their
music. The clean vocals remind me of Phil Anselmo in places and when
you match these against the death style growls, the atmosphere
changes into something more primal. The music drifts effortlessly
from one genre to the next. Brutally heavy but also with moments of
less subtle Psychedelic Stoner Rock.
Third track - Same
Skies - is a sludgy thrash driven number which ranks as one of the
heaviest songs on the album. It's loud and very ugly in places but
the band still add moments of psychedelic sludge/stoner metal that
allows this song to be one of the best sounding tracks on the album.
Fourth track - Slow Burn - is another song that’s influenced by the
legendary NOLA sound but gives way to a more grunge/doom style of
music. The vocals are heartfelt and sincere. I wish the band left the
harsh growls away on this song. Though the final part of the song
sees Somnuri return to their Thrash Metal ways and maybe clean vocals
would ruin the moment. Still, I did enjoy the clean vocals the most
on this song.
The other songs on the
album are just as crazy as the earlier songs. With Somnuri impressing
me most on the following two songs - Welcome The Stranger and Through
The Dead. As Somnuri finally start to settle down into a more
comfortable rhythm and perhaps create some of the albums standout
moments.
Somnuri debut album is
very experimental throughout and they perhaps draw influences from
Tombs and Kvelertak the most. Especially Kvelertak. As they have
similar themes and ideas on how to create a song that moves
effortlessly across so many different genres. Whilst Kvelertak create
a more commercial sound, Somnuri avoid that by sticking to their
musical roots and embracing the more "extreme" side of
their music.
Somnuri have created a
vast and brilliantly heavy experimental album that will hopefully see
the band receive the recognition they truly deserve from this release
alone. Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks to Magnetic Eye
Records for the promo. Somnuri debut album will be available to buy
on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Eye Records from November 10th
2017.