Release
date: May
11th
2018. Label: Deathbound Records.
Format: CD/DD
Breathless
– Tracklisting
1.Breathless
2.Kings
And Queens
3.Phénix
4.The
Yellow Sign
5.New
Sun
6.Le
Vent
7.Lily
(feat. Jared Collins)
8.We
are the Night
Members
Maxime
Bellerose: Vocals/Guitar
Pierre-Hugues
Rondeau: Drums
Mathieu
Savage: Guitar
Paolo
Di Stefano: Bass
Review
Breathless
is Tunguska Mammoth’s first album in almost 5 years. The band have
created a brutally heavy and engaging affair that takes influence
from High On Fire, Mastodon and even Torche at times. The mood is
quite upbeat with heavy sludgy pop grooves appearing from the opening
track – Breathless.
Breathless
is a mixture of Progressive Sludge and Stoner Metal sounds with a
gritty atmosphere being played from the start. The vocals from Maxime
are a mixture of 90s Stoner Metal but with an alternative feel to
them. The music is driven along by the heavy bass of Paolo and superb
drumming from Pierre-Hugues. This is a different band that I
encountered on their debut album back in 2013. As the music was more
frantic and perhaps more Punk driven. Breathless is a major step from
their debut album as Tunguska Mammoth have a more angry psychedelic
flair.
Tunguska
Mammoth carry on the excellent work on songs such as Kings And
Queens, Phénix,
Yellow Sign, Le Vent, Lily and We Are The Night. As the album drifts
onto heavier sounds and sees Tunguska Mammoth venture further into
the Progressive Rock/Metal world. Maybe they take too much influence
from Mastodon at times but I admire how they bring the many different
musical elements together for a thrilling album that never outstays
it’s welcome.
The
lyrics are good for the most part of the album. Though it’s the
music that keeps you entertained. The powerful vocals have a constant
threat and presence around them. With Mastodon firmly staying in the
realm of commercial hard rock/heavy metal for the foreseeable future,
it’s good to fully hear and experience an album that’s not afraid
to unleash the heavy sounds whilst offering a few poppier moments
along the way.
Breathless
may take you a few listens to fully appreciate though that’s one of
the albums strengths. As Breathless keeps bringing you back for more
hard-hitting sounds. You may actually miss some great riffs on your
first listen and then discover them on your 3rd
or 4th
listen of the album. I know I did. So take your time with this album
and you’ll be rewarded with a deeply satisfying experience.
The
production is very good with the album having a distinctive raw sound
that allows Tunguska Mammoth to play their music at very loud levels.
I even put my volume down on my MP3 Player on certain parts of the
album. So Breathless receives top marks in the VOLUME DEPARTMENT.
It’s
good to have Tunguska Mammoth after a long time away. Breathless is a
superior slice of hard rocking Sludge/Stoner Metal that contains a
few hidden surprises along the way.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Olivier at Deathbound Records for the promo. Breathless will be available to buy on CD/DD via Deathbound Records
from May 11th 2018.
Links:
