Release
date: October 2nd
2019.
Label: Call
And Response Records.
Format: CD/DD
Flames
Arise
– Tracklisting
1.Sunn
04:22
2.Reactor
04:03
3.NWOBHM
03:14
4.Dunes
03:59
5.Image
08:43
6.Heavenless
03:44
7.OK!
03:33
8.Ouroboros
03:55
9.RnR
03:17
10.Untitled
06:45
Members
Ryotaro
- vocals, heavy guitar, noise
Haruka
- fuzz guitar
Sean
- drums
Review
Ouroboros
is the 4th album from Japanese based Drone/Stoner Rockers
– Looprider – and it’s my first exposure to the band.
Looprider’s previous albums have been very different to each other.
Their
debut album My Electric Fantasy was released in 2015 which was a mix
of Drone, Doom, Sludge and Stoner Rock. Their 2016 follow up
Ascension was vastly different with the band play a more chaotic
style of Drone/Noise Metal. The band released their 3rd
release in 2017 with Uni. A single 25 minute song that drifts from
Doom, Post-Rock, Post-Metal and Drone soundscapes.
Looprider
return with Ouroboros and it’s returning to the sound they released
on their 2015 debut album but with the band taking influence from
KYUSS, Electric Wizard and BORIS. I would even add Deftones to that
list as well. As Looprider definitely have that Alternative
Rock/Metal sound Deftones are known for.
The
band have created a highly majestic and richly rewarding work with
Ouroboros that is packed full of highly atmospheric Drone, Doom,
Sludge and Stoner Metal sounds. The band aren’t afraid to
experiment with their sound and the album is quite captivating when
Looprider decide to mix things up with the different styles of music
they have at their disposal.
Opening song – Sunn – feels inspired by BORIS and Deftones with the mixture of Drone, Doom and Stoner Metal grooves merging with an almost Post-Rock sounding atmospheric background. The vocals appear when they only need to. As Looprider let their music do all the talking. This is one of the standout songs on the album and one that has an addictive quality to it.
Second song – Reactor – is a full on Stoner Metal song with fast-paced grooves and a manic Punk Rock energy to it. So vastly different to Sunn but it shows you how comfortable Looprider are switching genres at the drop of a hat. The music is superbly played with some epic guitar solos making a welcome appearance with frantic drumming driving everything along.
Third
song – NWOBHM – carries on the frantic Stoner Metal vibe with
Looprider settling down for another slice of chaotic style of music.
The atmosphere is quite raw but it matches the frantic and vibrant
energy the band are playing. Add strands of Psychedelic Rock and you
have one of the most catchiest songs contained on the album and
perhaps with the best riffs as well.
Fourth
song – Dunes – has a warped Desert/Stoner Rock influence running
throughout. The high levels of FUZZ is very loud indeed but it allows
Looprider to creative another slice of addictive Stoner Rock with a
slight BORIS vibe to it all.
Fifth
song – Image – is my favourite song on the album as this is where
Looprider bring their “A” game to the party. The song has many
different styles and elements to it that leaves you wanting more. It
starts rather quietly with a sombre Ambient/Drone sound giving way to
heavier and distorted Industrial Doom Metal grooves that appear from
nowhere. The song ends on a bleak note with the distorted grooves
being quite chaotic in places.
The
second half of the album carries on the fast-paced energy with
Looprider expanding their sound even further on songs such as
Heavenless, OK! and the excellent final song – Untitled. Expect
more twisted slices of Drone/Doom/Stoner Metal that prove Looprider
are worth giving a damn about.
I’ve
listened to Looprider’s full back catalogue since listening to this
album and I must say this is perhaps their most exciting album to
date. I’m not sure the band will stick with this style of music. As
like BORIS, the band like to explore as many different genres they
possibly can.
My
advice is to give Ouroboros a listen first before venturing into
their already impressive back catalogue. As this album is their most
addictive and mature offering yet.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Links:
