Friday 28 September 2018

Arteaga - Vol III Necromance (Album Review)


Release date: September 23rd 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Vol III Necromance – Tracklisting

1.Espejo Roto 07:07
2.Marcela 03:43
3.Ritual Eléctrico 06:12
4.Necromance 05:47
5.Verano Rojo 07:19
6.Necrodance 10:16

Members

Francisco Gonzalez
Domingo Lovera
Sebastián Morales

Review

Arteaga return with their new album - Volume III Necromance. The band continues with their Black Sabbath inspired heavy psychedelic doom based sound. Though this album has a more solid Garage Rock approach and even has a little more experimentation especially with the fuzzier Acid Rock sounds. The album relies more on Stoner Rock thrills but this allows Arteaga to impress from the start.

The overall sound of the album has a very raw and vintage sound which is especially good for the heavier Doom parts of the album. The album becomes a heavier experience and has some top-notch classic rock flourishes hidden behind the trippy acid rock sounds.

Opening song - Espejo Roto - is a mixture of Doom, Psych, Acid Rock, Fuzz and Classic Rock riffs but one that sees Arteaga adapt a more progressive rock sound. The album can be quite cold at times but Arteaga still have a cool likeability around their music. The instrumental work is solid throughout the album and the production is handled superbly well. The vocals from Francisco feel heavily influenced by the seventies classic hard rock/heavy metal scene.

Second song - Marcela - is more of a Garage Rock/Fuzz Rock number as it has quite a rebellious streak with some heavy punk based guitars. The later stages of the song does have some familiar heavy Doom/Stoner Rock parts but primarily the band play a highly engaging Garage/Fuzz/Psych Rock sound with a touch of sinister Occult Rock lurking in.

Third song - Ritual Electro - starts off really slow and takes forever to fully get going. The first few moments are a continuous drone based riff. I was very grateful when a heavy guitar sound finally appears and Arteaga return to winning ways. The classic sounding guitars breathe genuine life into this song and the psychedelic riffs provide some of the albums heaviest moments.

The second half of the album is what impressed me the most. As Arteaga finally settle down into a confident rhythm and play a wide range of different sounds to impress the listener with. The album starts to adapt a more heavy metal approach and the music becomes more exciting as a result.

The standout songs on the album are definitely the last three songs - Necromance, Verano Rojo and Necrodance. As the overall mood of the album relies on the Doom aspect of the bands overall sound. Though the last song has a stunning progressive post-rock/metal backdrop compared to the other songs on the album.

I can't have much say on the lyrical content as the band sing in their own language. However the vocals match the overall bleak sounds the band creates on the album.

Arteaga have a wicked sense of humour on this album especially on Necromance. Maybe influenced by Church Of Misery at times but more sinister. You'll know when you hear the soundclip. Overall, Arteaga is a well-produced and well-made album that offers a high amount of thrills and spills along the way.

If you're looking for a bold and highly adventurous Doom/Garage/Psych/Stoner Rock album then you've come to the right place. Arteaga will have you covered. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

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