Release
date: October
04th
2019.
Label: Argonauta
Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Witches
Of Mars
– Tracklisting
Anubious
Witches
Of Mars
GG77
Incubator
Moon
Unit
Cocaine
(J.J. Cale Cover)
Members
Captain
- Vocals
Doffy
- Guitars
Josh
- Guitars
Liz
- Bass
Bjudas
- Drums
Review
Witches
Of Mars is the new album from Sci-Fi based Stoner Rockers KAL-EL and
it sees the band continuing with the sound they’ve played over the
last few albums. Though now with a heavier and progressive Doom
Rock/Metal twist. The album is a winning combination of Hard Rock,
Stoner Rock, Psych Rock and Space Rock which KAL-EL are widely known
for.
Witches
Of Mars has a darker perspective which I didn’t expect. You can
instantly tell from the excellent opening song Anubious which sees
the band play a more distorted style of Stoner Rock/Metal. The vocals
are buried under a layer of heavy distortion with the heavy guitars
having a more grizzled feel to them. The song moves at a steady pace
with the Spaced Out and Psychedelic elements leading the way. The
song can be quite gloomy in places with the eerie ambient sounds
KAL-EL have added to this track.
Second
song – Witches Of Mars – carries on with the dark twisted noises
lurking in the background before the familiar heavy guitar tones
fully take over. This is one of the heaviest songs on the album as
KAL-EL relish in bringing a more destructive style of music to their
overall sound. The vocals have a certain Ozzy Osbourne influence to
them. Everything else just moves onto a heavier style of
Psychedelic/Space Rock that’s quite epic in places.
KAL-EL
continue playing this heavier and darker style of music they’ve
adapted for this album with epic SCI-FI based storytelling becoming a
thrilling spectacle at times. The music is constantly engaging and
action-packed with the band moving to many different styles of
Psychedelic Stoner Metal that should keep long-time fans of the band
superbly entertained from start to finish.
Songs
such as GG77, Incubator and Moon Unit perhaps contains some of the
heaviest and progressive spaced out sounds on the album. So be
prepared for a lot of NOISE coming your way on this song.
The
band have included a superb cover of J.J. Cale classic song COCAINE
which was released last year. KAL-EL have worked their magic on this
song with the band turning a 3 minute song into a Psychedelic
Doom/Stoner Metal cover that runs past the 7 minute mark. The cover
is one of the most inventive covers I’ve heard in a very long time.
So KUDOS to the band for doing something different and succeeding on
every level.
The
album will be a fitting legacy to long-time bassist – Liz – who
is sadly leaving the band due to health issues. Liz will be sadly
missed by the legion of KAL-EL fans across the globe including
myself. As Liz was an integral part of KAL-EL’s sound thanks to
amazing skills on the bass. Whoever replaces Liz will have big shoes
to fill. No doubt.
Witches
Of Mars is a devilishly wild ride that sees KAL-EL take many creative
risks with their music and producing one their best and most
adventurous albums to date.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Mona at All Noir PR for the promo. Witches Of Mars is available to
buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Argonauta Records.
Links:
