Release
date: August
16th
019.
Label: Self
Released.
Format: DD
– Physical Releases coming later.
For
The Masses – Tracklisting
1.The
Stag of Lee's Valley 02:40
2.Hair
of the Tooth 04:48
3.Drunk
Cosmonaut 03:33
4.Night
Witch 09:52
5.Respect
the Whakamanas 01:41
6.The
Great Indulgence 07:36
7.A
Massive Head of Steam 14:01
Members
Thomas
Brand - Vocals
Nick
Smith - Guitars, Vocals
Josh
Day - Guitars, Vocals
Brigitt
White - Bass
Tim
Stewart - Drums
Review
A
Massive Head Of Steam is the debut album from New Zealand
Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metallers – Yarnspinner – and it’s
gloriously heavy and rough as hell album that doesn’t shy away from
it’s DIY rock/metal roots for a thrilling and direct modern sound.
The
album opens with The Stag Of Lee’s Valley and it’s a mix of
Sludge, Doom, Stoner Metal and a healthy dose of Punk Rock holding
everything together. The snarling vocals of Thomas feels he’s been
picked out of a Punk Rock band as he carries a rough and ready
demeanour to his style of vocals and it works like a charm. The heavy
riffs take time to become settled and more confident. Once they do
Yarnspinner create one hell of a racket that sees the band play some
epic sounding Doom/Sludge/Stoner based sounds.
Second
song – Hair Of The Tooth – is a more gloomy affair with the band
playing a more Doom based sound with elements of Sludge/Stoner Metal
creeping in here and there. The overall sound of the album is quite
lo-fi but is handled surprisingly well. The lyrics aren’t the
strongest and quite basic in parts but it’s the overall package
that Yarnspinner offer on this song that makes it an uncompromising
listen.
Third
song – Drunk Cosmonaut – feels influenced by WEEDEATER and New
Zealand Heavyweights – BEASTWARS. So
if you like your music with a WEEDIAN influence but with a more
cosmic sound then this song will impress you the most. The riffs are
HEAVY AS FUCK and Yarnspinner make no apologies for this and offer
one of the most exciting songs on the album.
Fourth
song – Night Witch – sees the band change direction for the album
as they venture into the realm of Of Progressive Rock/Metal with this
almost 10 minute epic. This is the first of 3 songs on the album
where Yarnspinner offer the listener a more progressive listen with
the band impressing with their own style of Doom, Sludge and Stoner
Metal but with a more theatrical edge. The lyrics and vocals are both
on point here and show you that the band are a more exciting prospect
writing and playing these epic songs.
Fifth
song – Respect the Whakamanas – sees the band return to their
fast-paced Punk driven Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal sound with the band
playing a more primal style of music. It’s all over and done with
in under two minutes and it’s breathlessly entertaining.
The
final two songs – The Great Indulgence and A Massive Head Of Steam
– sees the band offer 22 minutes of music with the final song
lasting over 14 minutes by itself. The band flex their creative
talents on both of these songs and perhaps offer the most exciting
parts of the album. However, it can be frustrating in places. As the
band play many different styles of music on this part of the album
and it can be hard to keep up at times.
Overall,
A Massive Head Of Steam does exactly what it needs to do and that’s
to entertain and to pummel the listener into submission with heavy
sounding riffs from the start.
If
you’re a fan of Weedeater, Bongzilla, CONAN and BEASTWARS then this
is the perfect place to be.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
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