Release
date: November
23rd
2018. Label: Self
Released.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Vatan
–
Tracklisting
1.Prevarication
Nation 07:39
2.Vatan
07:45
3.Sirens
04:40
4.The
Hate of Thousands 06:56
5.Marionette
06:13
6.Time
To Die 05:58
7.Children
of Kobane 06:16
Members
Behrang
Alavi (guitar, vox)
Stephan
Voland (drums, backing vox)
Andreas
Voland (bass, backing vox);
Review
Progressive
Psych Stoner Rockers – Samavayo – return with their new album –
Vatan. The band continue their mix of Psychedelic Stoner Rock merged
with Progressive Rock. The band have been described as Kyuss and
Truckfighters jamming with TOOL in the past. That’s a very accurate
description for Samavayo overall sound and their new album Vatan.
If
that description sounds appealing to you then you will no doubt have
a great time with Vatan. Even the vocals from Behrang
take direct influence from Maynard James Keenan. Some of the bands
lyrical themes and progressive melodies are heavily inspired by TOOL.
However Samavayo add strands of Psychedelic Stoner Rock and Doom
Metal to create music on their own terms.
Though
just be prepared for a journey into the dark realms of Progressive
Stoner Rock/Metal on Vatan.
Opening
song – Prevarication Nation – is quite a dark and progressive
song to open the album with. The lyrics have quite a bleak feel to
them and the music moves between Psych Rock, Stoner and Progressive
Rock with relevant ease. There is still a sense of familiarity with
Samavayo’s music but you can’t deny how addictive the song can
actually be at times.
Second
song – Vatan – is a more Stoner Rock/Metal orientated song which
allows the band to change the overall mood of the album. Especially
when the trippy vocals appear. The music feels more laid-back and has
a more apprehensive feel compared to the opening song. The vocals are
handled superbly well for the most part of the song. There are a
couple parts where the vocals are drowned out by the heavy music.
Third
song – Sirens – opens with ambient sound before the progressive
riffs appear and Samavayo get straight down to business in playing
perhaps one of the most trippiest and psychedelic songs on the entire
album. The riffs are very direct with the Progressive Rock elements
being firmly kept in the background.
Samavayo
continue their psychedelic musical journey on the remaining songs on
the album and the album sees the band experimenting with their sound
even more. It maybe too much to take in on your very first listen of
the album. So you may need a few listens to get used to the different
styles of music Samavayo have included on the album.
Other
cool songs to check out and fully explore are: The
Hate Of Thousands,
Marionette and Children Of Kobane. All these songs fully show a
different side to Samavayo’s music. The lyrics can be quite deep
and thought-provoking at the same time and that allows Samavayo to
have an air of mystery around their music. Something that I truly
appreciate about this album. As it makes you think what you’re
actually listening to on the entire album.
Overall,
Vatan is an album is one that will appeal to Samavayo’s established
fan-base the most. As the casual or first time listener may struggle
with the complex themes that the band have included here. Though that
doesn’t stop Vatan being a well-made and superbly entertaining
album.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
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