Release
date: September 22nd
2018. Label: Self
Released.
Format: CD/DD
LOW
–
Tracklisting
1.Phantom
Limb 03:56
2.Shepherd
04:19
3.Strive
02:42
4./
01:06
5.LOW
04:23
6.Shallow
03:59
7.//
01:39
8.Cut
& Run 03:22
9.Rustlung
02:51
10.Crush
02:59
11.///
01:09
12.Cvlt
03:49
13.Dear
Leader 03:47
14.Rise
of the Apprentice 05:44
15.////
01:33
16.Shadow
of Substance 06:13
Members
Chris
Daniele, Hans Dalhaus, Eric Racicot
Review
Progressive
Sludge/Stoner Rockers OXEN return with their second album - LOW. The
band released their superb debut album The Vanishing a few years ago
and I rate it very highly. The band plays a similar style of music as
Baroness and Mastodon but with more Stoner Rock/Metal sounds than
those two great bands. LOW is a heavier affair than The Vanishing.
The music is highly
melodic in places and follows the same structure of music as their
debut album. OXEN have included sixteen songs on this album. LOW has
a mixture of short and longer songs, so the album never outstays it's
welcome.
Opening song - Phantom
Limb - has a very post-metallic feel buried under the heavy
sludge/stoner sounds with elements of Psychedelic Rock allowing the
band time and space to create their epic sounds.
Second song - Shepherd
- feels like it could have easily came from the same sessions used to
record their debut album. As the song has almost the same sound and
presence as the songs featured on The Vanishing. However the song
becomes very different when the heavy psychedelic guitars appear. The
guitars feel influenced by Mastodon at times and that's no bad thing
in my book.
Third song - Strive -
is one of the more exciting songs on the album as the song has a
short running time and OXEN pack as many different Psych
Sludge/Stoner Rock sounds they possibly can. The vocals are superbly
handled by both parties and the music moves along at a very quick
pace.
The album does have
four songs (I, II, III and IIII) which are held throughout the album
and they're all instrumental songs. Maybe the band could have left
these songs off the album though it does show another side of the
band, as they play a more ambient/post-rock sound. The other songs on
the album follow the standard OXEN template of heavy Sludge/Stoner
Metal riffs spliced with Psychedelic Rock and even some gloomier
moments that I didn't expect to hear on the album.
Low, Shallow, Rustlung,
Crush, Rise Of The Apprentice and Shadow Of Apprentice are the other
standout songs on the album and where OXEN impress the most. The
production on LOW is impressive and is very different to The
Vanishing. As the sound has a more DIY feel and sounds more natural.
Overall, LOW is a
superbly entertaining album and one that offers a few surprises along
the way. I will admit I still prefer The Vanishing to LOW. However
LOW is still a superb album in its own right and proves OXEN are on
the right path in forging a long and bright future within the
Sludge/Stoner Metal scene.
Excellent and Highly
Recommended
Words
by Steve Howe
