Release
date: March
23rd
2018. Label: Stickman
Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Death's-Head
Hawkmoth – Tracklisting
1.Fascist
Bastard 07:52
2.Psychedelic
Warfare 05:06
3.Move
On 02:20
4.Inside
07:06
5.More
Weed Less Hate 05:35
6.Inebriated
05:03
7.The
Day I'm Gone 10:53
Members
Stian
Helle – Bass, backing vocals
Espen
Nesset – Drums & percussion, backing vocals and lap steel
Thomas
Brenna – Guitar and vocals
Review
Lonely
Kamel last album was Shit City and where the band were signed to
Napalm Records. Almost 4 years later the band are now signed to
Stickman Records and have a more diverse heavier sound compared to
their earlier releases. Sure their trademark Psychedelic/Blues Rock
sound remains but the band have added a heavier Stoner Metal and Hard
Rock groove.
Death’s-Head
Hawkmoth is perhaps the bands most diverse and complete album to
date. I was a huge fan of Shit City but this album is on a different
level altogether. From the opening track – Fascist Bastard –
Lonely Kamel don’t hold back in unleashing heavy amounts of guitar
based Psychedelic Stoner sounds. The vocals from Thomas have a more
grungier and dirtier feel with Lonely Kamel undergoing a dark lyrical
transformation as well.
Second
track – Psychedelic Warfare – is perhaps influenced by the more
heavier Stoner Metal bands currently out there but Lonely Kamel still
excel in creating their own blues rock sound. Merging 70s Hard Rock
vibes with a more modern sound. This song carries on the bleak tone
from the opening track. The vocals take some time getting used to.
Third
track – Moving On – is a weird mixture of ambient post-rock
sounds and semi-acoustic style rhythms and vocals. It’s kinda cool
but doesn’t add anything fresh to the whole theme of the album.
The
next two songs on the album – Inside and More Weed Less Hate –
offer the most exciting moments heard on the entire album. As Lonely
Kamel finally settle down into a confident groove and play classic
sounding hard-rocking riffs. The vocals and lyrical content held on
these songs really set this album alight with genuine excitement. The
frenzied guitars and angry drums leave you wanting more.
There’s
no denying that the production on the album is superb from the start.
My only minor criticism is that the band sounded better on Shit City.
Though that doesn’t stop Death’s-Head Hawkmoth being a
well-crafted and hugely intelligent album. Long-time fans will
perhaps find the most enjoyment from this album.
You
can embrace the fact that Lonely Kamel have released quite a dark
album but one that offers many exciting moments of pure Stoner
Rock/Metal genius.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Nick at Stickman Records for the promo. Death’s-Head Hawkmoth is
available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl now.
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