Release
date: February 28th 2020. Label: Self
Released.
Format: DD/Vinyl
Soul
Nebula - Tracklisting
1.Capsized
02:11
2.The
Black Sunstone 05:17
3.Death
March 03:31
4.Soul
Nebula 07:48
5.Two
Lane Blacktop 03:56
6.Beyond
The Tomb 05:44
7.The
Gates of Sleep 08:58
8.Just
One Fix 04:48
Members
Drums
- masterbeater
Guitar
- Deuce
Bass
Guitar - the Judge
Review
Canadian
Doom/Stoner Riff Merchants – Mendozza – are back with their first
new album in 8 years with Soul Nebula. I will admit it’s been a
long while since I’ve heard the band. So I didn’t know what to
expect and I was pleasantly surprised with Mendozza style of highly
atmospheric blend of Doom/Stoner Metal As this album has a spaced
out aggressive attitude to it all.
The
album is quite complex in places with both it’s lyrical themes and
progressive grooves the band have adapted for this album. Soul Nebula never talks down it’s audience and sees the band portray a dark complex
journey told through the power of Doom/Stoner Metal.
The
opening songs – Capsized and The Black Sunshine – superbly
portray what to expect on this album with heavy pounding psychedelic
riffs and bleak lyrics to match. The music has a “Mastodon” feel
to it but this is still Mendozza’s show with the ever caustic
approach to their music. The “Doom” metal aspect of the album is
quite cold in places but still has a soulful vibe to it all.
Soul
Nebula feels like the perfect album for the current global crisis
happening in front of our very eyes with the lyrics portraying the
near end of the world. So don’t expect an easy listen with this
album. Mendozza don’t shy away upon touching some harsh realities
for some.
The
rest of the album carries on the aggressive spaced out attitude with
a few surprises along the way. The music does veer into classic Heavy
Metal territory in places and it’s good to hear how the band are
quite inventive with their music. The vocals play
an integral part to Mendozza’s overall sound as this album is
perhaps more narrative that you would initially expect. So the vocals
need to be clear, powerful and precise and they are on this album.
If
you’re hear solely for the music then you can be treated to some
epic “Power-Trio” classic sounds of 70s Hard Rock merged with the
more modern sounding Doom/Stoner Metal with influences such as
Mastodon, Clutch, High On Fire and Black Sabbath leading the way.
Soul
Nebula is an album packed full of many different surprises that will
impress you in many different ways. The top-notch production is
another highlight that allows Mendozza to open their sound up like
never before. This is the most bombastic and expansive release that
the band have released to date. And this is their 6th
album overall.
It’s
good to have Mendozza back to lead us through these dark times. I’m
hoping we don’t have to wait another 8 or 9 years for the next
album. If that’s the case then savour this album as it’s another
thrilling record from this great band.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Brien
Montgomery for the promo.
Soul
Nebula is available to buy digitally now. Vinyl will be available to buy on from April 1st 2020.
Links: