Release
date: 16th
February 2018. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD
Reach
For The Dragon's Eye – Tracklisting
1.Rebreather 06:40
2.Under Earth 02:57
3.Her Gods Demand
War 06:01
4.Thoughtform 03:48
5.Soulshank 05:55
6.Death of the Sun
04:41
7.Punish 03:20
8.Reach For The
Dragon's Eye 04:58
Members
John "Vince
Green" Walker - Vocals, Guitars and Bass
Kevin Hartnell -
Drums, Guitars and Synth
Review
A lot of things have
changed for THAL since their debut album. Newly expanded to two
members now and newly signed to Argonauta Records. THAL's new - Reach
For The Dragon's Eye - is a more aggressive sounding Stoner Metal
album with the band adapting Kyuss/DOWN style Stoner Metal sounds
with a classic Heavy Metal approach. THAL are confident from the
start with the heavy layered sounds offering a different kind of
Psychedelic Desert Rock journey.
The whole journey of
the album is one of steel-eyed confidence with the Stoner Metal riffs
portraying a band at ease with their own sound. Opening track -
Rebreather - is my favourite song on the album as it opens with a
cool psychedelic desert/stoner metal riff before John's vocals appear
and take you back to the Stoner Metal scene of the nineties where
Kyuss and Fu Manchu reigned supreme.
To THAL's credit they
manage to create their own style and deliver a more modern sounding
hard rock. The other seven songs on the album easily match the
addictive vibes of the opening song. The lyrics on the album are
superbly written and realised when matched against the heavy stoner
metal sounds. As THAL aren't afraid to experiment with their sound.
One moment you could be enjoying a straight-forward Stoner Metal riff
and then THAL opt for a heavier Grunge/Garage Rock style of music.
The second song - Under
Earth - sees THAL adapt a more classic sounding Thin Lizzy approach
with their music. Though it's more distorted with the whole
atmosphere being slightly dirtier than you originally expect. THAL
embrace the sound of 70s Doom Rock in a big way on songs such as Her
Gods Demand War, Thoughtform and Death Of The Sun.
If you ever wondered
what Kyuss would sound like adapting a classic seventies rock sound
then Reach For The Dragon's Eye would be that album. The overall
sound of Reach For The Dragon's Eye is very diverse and makes for a
bold and superbly entertaining album.
The instrumental work
is a major step-up from their debut album and could help THAL
establishing their reputation even further within the Stoner Metal
scene.
Excellent and Highly
Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks to NeeCee
Agency for the promo. The album is available to buy on DD/CD now via Argonauta Records.
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