Tuesday 18 June 2019

GORILLA - Treecreeper (Album Review)


Release date: June 21st 2019. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Treecreeper – Tracklisting

1. Scum Of The Earth
2. Cyclops
3. Gorilla Time Rock n Roll
4. Treecreeper
5. Mad Dog
6. Ringo Dingo
7. Terror Trip
8. Last In Line
9. Killer Gorilla

Members

Johnny Gorilla - Guitar and Vocals
Sarah Jane - Bass
Ryan Matthews - Drums

Review

UK Stoner Rock/Metal trio GORILLA make a welcome return with their new album Treecreeper which is their first album since 2007 and it’s good to have them back . You may not know much about GORILLA but they’ve been going strong since the 1990s and were part of the original Stoner Rock/Metal wave that appeared in the UK scene back in the day.

GORILLA have graced many famous stages since then and supported and appeared with legendary artists such as: Fu Manchu, Nebula, Colour Haze, Orange Goblin, Bang, Firebird, Hawkwind, The Groundhogs , Leafhound, The Heads, Blue Cheer and many others.

Treecreeper is a Stoner Rock/Metal album at heart but one that pulls in sounds from different genres such as Psych Rock, Fuzz Rock, Classic Rock and Heavy Metal with a twinge of Doom Rock to give GORILLA an unflinching and unapologetic edge. The 9 songs contained on the album are packed full of infectious grooves and soaring melodies with a Punk Rock sensibility. The band try some new sounds on certain parts of the album.

The opening two songs – Scum Of The Earth and Cyclops – show you what GORILLA is all about. Lo-fi and heavy Stoner Rock riffs that have a certain “Motorhead” charm to them. The second song – Cyclops – contains a lush psychedelic vibe that I haven’t heard the band perform before. It’s a cool sounding song that packs an almighty punch when the band switch gears and play a more threatening Doom/Stoner Metal sound.

I don’t want to do a song by song review as the album is best listened to in one full go. GORILLA have pulled out all of the stops with this album as Treecreeper instantly draws you in with it’s soaring melodies and classic Hard Rock/Metal sounds.

Other great songs to check out are: Gorilla Time Rock N Roll, Treecreeper, Mad Dog and Last In Line. Even though Treecreeper has a vintage and lo-fi sound, the album is still superbly produced and matches the dirty sound that GORILLA are known for.

If you’re new to the world of GORILLA then Treecreeper is the best place to start. As it’s their most exciting album they’ve released yet. It’s a shame it’s taken 12 years for the band to release but good things come to those who wait.

Treecreeper is packed full of epic jams that will please even the most jaded of Stoner Rock/Metal fans.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Treecreeper will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from Friday June 21st 2019.

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