Release
date: June
01st
2018.
Label: Desert
Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
The
Devil And The Desert
– Tracklisting
1.Devil
Come Out To Play
2.The
Devil's Coming Round
3.Springtime
In The Desert
4.Desert
Sol
5.Sacred
Datura
6.Route
666
7.The
Devil And The Desert 10:39
Members
Brad
Frye-Guitar/Vocals
Review
Red
Mesa new album - The Devil And The Desert - is in essence a Stoner
Rock album. Though one with a difference. As Red Mesa add elements of
Americana and Blues Rock with the usual Psychedelic interludes that
appear on most Stoner Rock albums these days.
Opening
song - Devil Come Out To Play - has a mellow All Them Witches
approach to it with the band playing an Americana/Country Rock style
of Stoner based sounds. The song is played superbly well. However
it's not the most exciting songs to open the album with. As the mood
is quite mellow and too peaceful for my own liking.
Second
track - The Devil's Coming Round - features more intricate slowly
played Desert/Americana/Stoner Rock sounds as Red Mesa adopt a more
semi-acoustic approach with their music .The vocals and lyrics are
very good indeed. Quite atmospheric and gloomy in parts. Red Mesa do
play a heavy doom based riff towards the end of the song as the album
finally springs into life with a pounding Doom Rock/Metal sound. Red
Mesa feels influenced by the "American Outlaw" culture
that's featured so prominently over the last sixty years or so. As
the album's message is very distinctive and rebellious at the same
time.
Third
track - Springtime In The Desert - opens with a middle-eastern sound
before slowly disappearing and Red Mesa start to play their familiar
"semi-acoustic" sound. This is quite an intriguing song and
sees the band changing their musical styles yet again. The song maybe
could have done with some vocals.
The
second half of the album is where Red Mesa finally start making
things happen. As the album moves into heavier Psychedelic
Doom/Stoner Rock territory with traces of bleak Desert Rock sounds.
Songs such as: Desert Sol, Sacred Datura and Route
666
has a more downbeat vibe compared to the first three songs. The riffs
become heavier and more progressive with Red Mesa taking influence
from bands such as Kyuss and Monster Magnet. Even the vocals on
Sacred Datura feel influenced by Dave Wyndorf.
The
final song - The Devil And The Desert - is the true standout song on
the album with Red Mesa playing a bombastic style of Desert Rock,
Psych, Blues and the all-important Stoner Rock grooves that holds
everything together.
The
production is loud, soulful and extremely vibrant especially when the
heavier riffs appear. After a slow start, The Devil And The Desert
becomes a highly intriguing and superbly entertaining album.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Brad
from Red Mesa for the promo.
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