Wednesday 18 December 2019

ZOAHR - Off Axis (Album Review)


Release date: October 18th 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: DD/Vinyl

Off Axis – Tracklisting

1.Interstate `68 02:20
2.Fast Lane 04:38
3.Pendulum 04:45
4.Stamina 06:24
5.Future Primitive 02:37
6.Vultures 06:45
7.Talisman 04:52
8.Escapist 03:56
9.Doomina 04:56

Members

Thorsten - Bass
Philipp - Drums
Jessie - Guitar & Vocals

Review

Off Axis is the new album from German Psychedelic Space/Desert Rockers ZOAHR and they show that they have a wealth of creative talent on this album. As from the very start ZOAHR weave different styles of Psychedelic Rock that blends through the fabric of Blues Rock. Space Rock, Desert Rock and Stoner Rock. The sound of the album is quite vibrant and loud in places but ZOAHR aren’t afraid to slow things down and change musical direction for sheer fun of it all.

The heavy bass guitar from Thorsten is the main driving force at the start of the album. As it’s quite powerful that allows ZOAHR to play a distinctive Desert/Stoner Rock sound of their own. The album does draw influence from 70s Classic Rock, 70s Prog Rock and 90s Stoner Rock for a more vibrant sound that is quite addictive in places.

The 9 songs on offer are quite progressive in places which I didn’t expect. I expected a standard style of Desert/Stoner Rock but ZOAHR play by their own rules and create some genuinely exciting hard-hitting grooves that have an air of originality to them.

The band do feel influenced by Led Zepplin in places especially with the riffs and lyrics on songs such as: Interstate ‘68, Fast Lane, Pendulum, Vultures and Talisman. Though the album has a more spaced out vibe. So expect trippy Psychedelic/Spaced Out passages that appear out of nowhere.

If you’re looking for an album that pays homage from the classic heyday of 60s/70s Classic Hard Rock but with a forward thinking sensibility then ZOAHR will impress you with their enigmatic style of Desert/Stoner Rock that is an exciting and powerful journey from beginning to end.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

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