Thursday 18 April 2019

KOOK - II (Album Review)


Release date: March 28th 2019. Label: Glory Or Death Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

II – Tracklisting

1.Escape Velocity 08:28
2.Chains 04:14
3.Left Behind 08:46
4.Human Container 06:58
5.Frequency 8 07:47
6.Chased by Monsters 07:59

Members

Karl Larson-Guitar
Troy Aschenbrenner-Vocals
Eric Wilkins-Drums
Jeff Wilson- Bass

Review

Stoner Metallers KOOK return with their new album II and it’s another gloriously heavy ride that sees the band continue building their Psychedelic and Blues Rock sound they delivered on their acclaimed debut album. This album sees KOOK offer a heavier slice of Doom/Stoner Metal compared to their debut album and return with a more theatrical sound that suits them superbly well.

Taking influence from the last 45 years of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal but with a more Stoner Metal outlook on things. This album embraces KOOK’s love for all things Rock and Roll as the band try their hand at a wide range of different genres on this album. Troy’s vocals are beyond weird but in a good way. You should check out his epic vocals on the opening song – Escape Velocity. The heavy riffs and Troy’s vocals shouldn’t really work together but to KOOK’s credit they actually do and it’s always intriguing to hear.

Most of the songs on the album run past the 7 to 8 minute mark and that allows the band to experiment with their overall sound for the majority of the songs. The whole feel of the album is trippy and very surreal and may not be to everyone’s taste at first. However give the album a few spins and you will no doubt begin to enjoy the weirdness of it all.

Songs such as Chains, Left Behind, Frequency 8 and Chased By Monsters is where KOOK impress the most with their different take on Doom/Stoner Metal. This album can only be described as PURE CHAOS. As KOOK play by their own rules and there isn’t another band quite like them within the Doom/Stoner Metal scene.

II is a strange sounding album but it’s one that is wildly addictive and one that will hopefully allows KOOK to spread their weird as hell and demented Stoner Metal grooves to a wider audience as possible.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Leanne at Mettle Media PR for the promo. II is available to buy on all formats now via Glory Or Death Records.

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