Saturday, 24 November 2018

Psychlona - Mojo Rising (Album Review)


Release date: November 30th 2018. Label: CursedTongueRecords (VinylOnly). Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Mojo Rising – Tracklisting

1.Stone 05:45
2.Ride 04:35
3.Down In The Valley 06:29
4.Big River 05:43
5.Your God 04:58
6.Juju 04:26
7.Black Dog 04:17
8.Beakfoot 09:01

Members

Phil - Guitar/Vocals
Dave - Guitar/Vocals
Martyn - Bass
Scott - Drums

Review

Mojo Rising originally came out in Feb 2018. It sort of passed me by. As it was released when a lot of great albums were being released. That’s not too say that this is a bad album. Far from it. It’s a great album. I just never had the time to listen to the album fully until now and that’s because the album is getting a vinyl release from in-form record label – Cursed Tongue Records.

So what can you expect from Mojo Rising and Psychlona’s blend of of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Rock. Well the band add a heavy Space Rock sound to their music and it has a classic 70s Rock vibe firmly rooted within the band’s DNA. The album has it’s fair share of Progressive Rock and modern sounding Fuzz Rock to give Mojo Rising a vibe that’s becoming quite popular within the Doom/Stoner Metal community.

The album is a collection of great songs with the vocals taking some time to fully get used to. Though the lyrics are one of the best parts of the album. As the lyrics have a certain charm of their own especially as the band have written some OTT lyrics to match the heavy riffs on shown here.

The standout songs are: Stone, Ride, Down In The Valley, Juju, Black Dog and Beakfoot. As this is where Psychlona play the heaviest riffs on the album. If you’re a fan of Kyuss then you will find much to enjoy.

The only criticism that I have for the album is that it can be too laid-back at times for it’s own good. This is an album is perhaps best listening in the summer months and not the winter months that are currently upon us. However Psychlona know how to write a damn good tune that has some fantastic Spaced Out elements to them.

it’s good that Psychlona have signed to Cursed Tongue Records, as they will be gaining more exposure through the vinyl release as the album was sadly overlooked first time round. This will no doubt raise the band’s profile within the Doom/Stoner Rock community and perhaps see the band release some more cool sounding records in the future.

Overall, Mojo Rising is a highly accomplished debut album and will keep you entertained until the next Psychlona record arrives.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe