Release
date: 9th
February 2018. Label: Nasoni Records/Magnetic Eye Records/Blackseed.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Halcyon
Days – Tracklisting
1.Likelihood of
Confusion 07:19
2.The Sophist 11:56
3.Seething 07:31
4.Halcyon Daze
07:01
5.Point of Failure
07:59
Members
Sean Forlenza,
Anthony Mendolia,
Tav Palumbo
Review
So
here I am breaking my self-imposed two week exile from reviewing
albums to review an album. I just can’t keep away at times. However
I've made an exception with the new album from Psychedelic Stoner
Rockers – River Cult and their debut album – Halcyon Days.
Newly
signed to Magnetic Eye Records, this album sees the band creating a
huge vortex of different sounds that manages to successfully weave
the different strands of Classic Rock with a leaner and heavier
modern Stoner Rock groove.
Opening
track – Likelihood Of Confusion – is pure Classic Rock nostalgia
for the first few minutes as River Cult bring a seventies stadium
rock sound before opening the doors to a heavy Progressive Stoner
Rock vibe. The riffs have a “jam-based” feel to them with the
band taking influence from All Them Witches and Earthless at times.
Though River Cult have a few tricks up their sleeves to surprise
people with. Around the fourth minute mark River Cult turn into a
cinematic Post-Rock style band. Something that I didn’t expect at
all. The whole feel and flow of the song changes for the better as
the band introduce epic psychedelic sounds which becomes a common
theme for the album.
Second
track – The Sophist – opens with a progressive post-rock sound
you would expect from the likes of Pelican or Russian Circles. Though
the sound soon gives way to a more Post-Doom/Psych Stoner Rock style
of music. The vocals are vastly different to the opening song. As
they’re more forceful and even angrier at times. The powerful drum
and bass combo allows River Cult to become a more powerful and
cohesive unit. The thundering Post-Doom influences slowly take over
as River Cult creates the albums standout track. With the song
running past the eleven minute mark, River Cult has time to
experiment with their sound and that they do. Different noises and
sonic experimentation have a drone based feel.
Third
track – Seething – sees River Cult carrying on the psychedelic
stoner rock vibe with the band focusing on creating a more modern
sounding atmosphere. The music has a slight alternative feel but for
the most part this is another superbly played track by River Cult.
The band exhibits the same sonic heaviness that Blue Cheer became
famous for. This song has a similar feel to that legendary band.
However River Cult adds a more progressive proto-doom metal sound.
The psychedelic sounds are raw and ferocious at times. With River
Cult providing the audience with another one of the albums finest
songs.
Up
next is the title track - Halcyon Daze – leaving the instrumental
rock songs behind as the cool vocals appear. This song is another
heavy slab of psychedelic riff worship. It has an Earthless style
influence with the riffs having an epic cool “Jam” based sound. I
would love to see and experience this song being performed LIVE. As
River Cult expand their music to include elements of Spaced Out Rock
that really allows their music to expand to higher levels of genuine
excitement.
The
final track Point of Failure is perhaps the one song that I have the
most problems with. I’ll say this now it’s a very good song
indeed. As River Cult play a more straight forward classic rock song.
It lacks the originality and excitement of the other songs on the
album. This song feels it was written and recorded by a different
band. The song can be too slow at times though it’s still
undeniably heavy when the mood gets going. The vocals aren’t as
strong compared to the other songs on the album. However I admire
River Cult’s ability to change their sound yet again and the song
does contain some fantastically heavy classic rock riffs.
Halcyon
Daze is expertly produced and the overall sound of the album is
impressive indeed. River Cult is a genuinely exciting and hugely
talented band that demands your attention. They’re perhaps one of
the best “Power-Trio” style bands I’ve heard in a very long
time. This is an album you need to listen over and over again to
experience the full effect. River Cult has such an expansive and
different sound compared to their more established peers. If River
Cult aren’t performing at some of the world’s most prestigious
Psych, Doom and Stoner Metal festivals in the next few years then
there is no justice in the world.
Halcyon
Daze is a must-have album. End Of.
Words
by Steve Howe
Links:
