Release
date: October
04th
2019. Label: Argonauta
Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Drowners’
Wives
– Tracklisting
1.Water
Hag 05:53
2.The
Butcher of Blaviken 07:14
3.Night
of Long Fangs 03:46
4.Wild
Hunt 02:19
5.Man
of Glass 06:40
6.Scenes
from a Marriage 08:29
Members
Guitar,
Vocals, Bass - James Clarke
Drums,
FX - Phil Hook
Additional
Instrumentation and vocals by:
Steve
Colca - Guitar, Vocals "Water Hag"
Jeff
Klien - Guitar "The Butcher of Blaviken"
Tommy
Munter - Bass "Night of Long Fangs"
Jaime
Ramirez - Organ "Man of Glass, Scenes from a Marriage"
Review
Heavy
Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Rockers Monte Luna return with their new
album Drowners’ Wives and it’s a record that sees the band create
a highly atmospheric sound compared to their 2017 debut album. It
seems the band have brought their
friends to play on the album such as Steve Colca of Destroyer Of
Light fame amongst others.
That
explains why the majority of the album sounds very different to each
other and that’s a good thing. Drowner’s Wives is an album that
allows Monte Luna to create their own sound and identity with this
music. Though it did take me a long time to enjoy songs such as Man
Of Glass and Scenes From A Marriage. As those songs both have the
Organ making an appearance. It took a lot of listens but I actually
appreciate those two excellent songs fully now.
Monte
Luna feel inspired by Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats
and Black Sabbath for certain parts of the album especially when the
heavier Psychedelic Doom elements appear. The album doesn’t take
long for the heavy and trippy riffs appear as the opening song –
Water Hag – does a superb job in providing thrilling soundscapes
against the Doom/Stoner Metal riffs.
Second
song – The Butcher Of Blaviken – is one of the strongest songs on
the album as the band play a weird and warped mix of Psych Rock,
Doom, Stoner Metal and Atmospheric Drone on different stages of the
song. The second half is the most interesting as the Drone aspect
fully takes over and makes the album feel quite claustrophobic in
places. A genuine highlight of the album.
Third
song – Night Of Long Fangs – is a fast-paced Punk Rock/Doom Metal
affair with a rough sounding atmosphere compared to other songs on
the album. It’s works surprisingly well and James vocals feel very
direct and apprehensive at the same time but it’s the music that’s
the best part of this song. As despite the short running time, this
song contains some of the most gloomiest riffs on the entire album.
Fourth
song – Wild Hunt – is an ambient based interlude that lasts for
over 2 mins and acts more as an instrumental song where there is some
finely played drumming from Phil and gloomy F/X sound effects as
well.
The
final two songs – Man Of Glass and Scenes From A Marriage – are
the songs that I had the most problems initially with and that’s
down to the Organ appearing. Though I’m very much on board with
these two songs now and I admire the creative choices that James and
Phil made with these two songs. Scenes From A Marriage is the
standout song from the final two songs. As the heavy Doom/Stoner
Metal riffs have more of a threatening presence around them.
Drowners’
Wives is a highly original sounding album
that will take a few listens to fully understand and appreciate.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Mona at All Noir and Curtis at Dewar PR for the promo. Drowners’
Wives is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Argonauta Records.
Links:
