Release
date: January 31st 2020. Label: Self
Released.
Format: CD/DD
Eye
Of The Sun -
Tracklisting
1.Prisoner
05:36
2.Eye
Of The Sun 06:08
3.Cosmic
Eyes 04:36
4.Gotta
Get Away 05:11
5.The
Quest for the Enlightened One 03:12
6.The
Mountain 05:36
Members
Vocals,
Guitars, Keys and Drums performed by Jake Lewis
Bass
performed by Freddy Allen (of Sun Of Grey)
Review
Texas based doom metal titans Burn Ritual released one of the best albums of 2018 with their phenomenal Blood of the Raven album. So, I was pretty psyched to find out that their main man Jake Lewis had a new semi/solo project entitled Gypsybyrd. One is never too sure what to expect when a solo project comes out, at times they can be great or they can be self indulgent crap. So, I was super-psyched to listen to Gypsybyrd and find that Lewis is doing what he does best, musically killing it. I find Burn Ritual to have a heavier Uncle Acid sound. Gypsybyrd takes some of the same elements but brings in a heavy dose of psych and space rock to the mix. The six songs on the EP are all super solid, great songs. What is also impressive is that Lewis brings a ton of talent as a multi instrumentalist on the record. As noted, there are bits of doom, Hawkwind and Floyd inspired Space rock, 60’s psych rock (maybe a nod to Roky Erickson and the Elevators), and some good old fashioned rock intermingled across this EP.
The record opens with a killer bass groove on Prisoner that brings with it a fuzz laden riff and a breakdown that brings in some keys and organ that actually brought to mind Beck’s Where It’s At. The title track follows, Eye of the Sun opens with a slower bass groove and a laid back opening and brings in whispered vocals and a heavy dose of synth that sets the listener up for the next track. Cosmic Eyes is a mid-tempo slab of spacey/psych brilliance that brings with it bigger drums and a groove heavy riff. Things go on a bit of a shift with the sound going to a stoner, blues rock riff on Gotta Get Away. And then you get turned on your ear again with The Quest for the Enlightened One, a subdued percussion heavy piece of interstellar meditation. The record closes big time with The Mountain. A nice, big slab of riff heavy rock.
Anyone who is a fan of Burn Ritual should really dig this EP. It is an impressive display from the Ritual main man Jake Lewis. One he should be very proud of. This should more than appease the appetite of any of those awaiting the new Burn Ritual record, which I believe is being worked on as we speak. Do yourself a favor, pick up a copy of Eye of the Sun. Support Independent music! You won’t be disappointed!