Thursday 1 November 2018

ZIPPO - Ode To Maximum (Reissue) (Album Review)


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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