Release
date: October
15th
2018. Label: Spikerot
Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Ode
To Maximum (Reissue) –
Tracklisting
1.Alpha
2.Tsunami
Dust
3.S.n.a.p.r.s.t.
4.Forgotten
Season
5.Night
Jam
6.Kid
In The Desert
7.Crazy
Forest
8.Tukay's
Fury
9.The
Elephant March
10.Omega
11.Night
Jam #2
12.July
Review
Ode
To Maximum is the debut album from Italian Sludge/Stoner Rockers –
ZIPPO, that was released way back in 2006. The album received major
acclaim within the Sludge/Stoner Metal scene back in the day when it
was released. I would love to say that I became a fan of ZIPPO from
listening to this great album. However I didn’t became aware of
ZIPPO’s music until their brilliant 3rd album – MAKTUB
- which was released back in 2011.
I
then checked out their other albums as MAKTUB left a major impression
on me. As ZIPPO are a band very hard to define. They never make the
same album twice. Each album has it’s own distinctive voice and
identity. As ZIPPO build upon each album they’ve released so far.
I
haven’t listened to Ode To Maximum for a very long time. The
original album is a great album that showed ZIPPO weren’t afraid to
experiment with their sound even on their debut album. The album
itself is a mixture of trippy psychedelic sound that bridges the gap
between Doom, Sludge, Stoner and Grunge with a moody hallucinogenic
nature holding everything together.
Fast
forward almost 13 years and Ode To Maximum has been given the Special
Edition or Reissue treatment and it’s a different sounding
experience compared to the original. Firstly, the band have allowed
Tony Reed (Mos Generator/Stone Axe) to re-master the entire album.
Tony is legendary within the scene for remastering albums across
different genres and making the album sounding better than ever
before and Ode To Maximum is evidence of that.
The
reissue also has two bonus tracks with Night Jam #2 and July. Almost
10 minutes of new music from the original recording sessions. They
add a more progressive and collective feel compared to the original
album. I did originally felt the 2006 version felt incomplete. As the
album suddenly ends. Now, this album sounds fully complete and ZIPPO
finally have the chance to release the true vision of their landmark
album.
The
album itself is quite a daring and challenging listen. As ZIPPO play
so many different musical elements on this album and it can be quite
challenging at times. I forgot all about the Jazz based influences
ZIPPO included on this album. However the majority of the album sees
ZIPPO play a heavy progressive style of Sludge/Stoner Metal music
that the band will change on subsequent releases.
The
artwork on the reissue is simply stunning and brings ZIPPO’s music
fully to life. If you manage to see the digital booklet that
accompanies the album, then I would recommend you take a long look at
the artwork. As it’s simply superb.
I
don’t know if ZIPPO have plans to give the Special Edition/Reissue
treatment to their earlier albums. As I would love to hear there
other albums given the specialist care and attention that Ode To
Maximum has received. If you’re a fan of ZIPPO then this is the
definitive version to own and it’s being released on Vinyl for the
very first time through Spikerot Records.
Ode
To Maximum will always be a landmark album for ZIPPO and now it’s
time for people to discover this classic album for themselves.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Davide
from ZIPPO
for the promo. Ode
To Maximum (Reissue) is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Spikerot Records now.
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