Release
date: 16th
February 2018. Label: Kozmik Artifactz. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Estuary
Blacks – S/T – Tracklisting
1.Moorings 04:23
2.Trawlers 10:21
3.Fat Jason 06:23
4.Hank Carmarvin
04:11
5.Caswell Brat
10:26
6.Puris Prass 11:49
Members
DAN WILLIAMS - BASS
ALEX BODINGER -
GUITARS
TOM YOUNG - DRUMS
Review
So this is what happens
when former members of Bomb The Sun and Tabularasa decide to form a
new band. Welsh Psychedelic Stoner Rockers – Estuary Blacks –
deliver the goods with their intriguing and genuinely exciting debut
album. The self-titled record sees the band in highly confident and
inspired form. Playing a blend of ELDER style Progressive Psych
Stoner Rock but merged with the doomy heaviness of Elephant Tree.
It’s a sound that’s becoming really popular within the
Psychedelic Stoner Rock scene. However Estuary Blacks deserve your
attention and respect on their own terms.
Opening track –
Moorings – is a doom/ambient driven Post-Rock/Stoner sounding
number that shows you a brief glimpse on what to expect musically on
the album. It’s a strong start to the album with elements of
Psychedelic Rock really pushing the song along to an exciting
conclusion.
Second track –
Travellers – opens with a more sombre mood as the band play a laid
back reflective song. The song soon changes into a heavier and
progressive doom/stoner rock song. It has quite a raw feel and the
superb vocals match the angry atmosphere being played around them.
This is where you start to hear the Elder/Elephant Tree comparisons
for the first time but Estuary Blacks slowly start to weave their own
progressive magical spell. The music is deliciously addictive and
heavy with the right amount of different progressive elements that
make up the epic ten minute plus run time. The last part of the song
makes intelligent use of a droned out sound that feels it’s being
played by a different band.
Third track – Fat
Jason – sees the band start playing a “Pelican-esque” style of
music before sublime vocals return the album to a more upbeat and
glorious Psychedelic/Stoner Rock sound. The music is very slow at
times but the heavy psychedelic guitars make this one of the standout
tracks on the album.
Fourth track - Hank
Carmavin – is a semi-acoustic instrumental track that has a slight
“country” style vibe with the solitary guitar still offering a
psychedelic vibe. It’s not the most exciting songs on the album but
that’s not the point of the song. It shows the listener that
Estuary Blacks can perform more delicate songs and leave the heavy
riffs behind for a few minutes or so. The second half of the song
veers into Post-Rock territory and actually leaves you wanting more.
The final two songs on
the album Caswell Brat and Puris Pass offer twenty two minutes of
heavy psychedelic sounds with the band playing some uplifting Stoner
Rock music to end the album with. Caswell Brat is perhaps the more
engaging of the two songs with the band showing a keen eye for
experimentation and sonic melody. Puris Pass does end on an
intriguing end with various UK Weather Reports being played against a
subtle musical backdrop.
Estuary Black’s debut
album is a highly emotional and uplifting slice of Psychedelic Stoner
Rock with moments of Progressive Rock and Doom based sounds that show
you there is more to Estuary Black’s music than you first
experience. This album proves the Welsh Stoner Rock/Metal scene is
more than capable in providing great bands for you to discover. This
is an essential album to have in your record collection. It’s
simple as that.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks to Estuary
Blacks for the promo. Their debut album is available to buy digitally
now. CD/Vinyl will be released later this year via Kozmik Artifactz.
Links:
