Saturday 21 March 2020

MENDOZZA - Soul Nebula (Album Review)


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.

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