Release
date: March
27th
2020. Label: Self
Released.
Format: CD/DD
Salvian
Journey
– Tracklisting
1.Cave
06:30
2.Salvian
Journey 06:21
3.The
Last Ones 05:40
4.I
Am A Locust 07:41
Members
Mike
-Bass/Vocals
Michael
-Guitar
Wade
Von Bogs -Drums
Jesse
-Organ/keys
Review
Salvian
Journey is the new EP from Psychedelic Rock collective Hovenweep who
weave different styles of Heavy Rock into their deeply emotional new
release. The band are not your standard Psychedelic Rock band with
Hovenweep adding elements of Grunge, Desert Rock, KrautRock and Doom
Rock for a deeply satisfying sound.
Opening
song – Cave – is more of exploration of different strands of
music that come together at the right moment for a trippy and
emotional modern sound whilst offering a classical style of
Psychedelic Rock and even Post-Rock at times. The band do feel
partially inspired by Russian Circles on the mellower parts of the
song. Hovenweep are quite progressive in their musical thinking and
their outlook with the lyrics contained on this release. The vocals
are excellent and they do a great job of bringing the listener into
their dark and trippy world.
Second
song – Salvian Journey – is a more Desert/Stoner Rock driven song
with trippy elements being added along the way. The song does take
time to get going but once the haunting 90s vintage
Grunge/Alternative Rock vibes appear the song fully takes flight. The
vocals are more restrained on this song as Hovenweep let the music do
all the talking with some of the heaviest riffs appearing on this
part of the record.
The
other two songs on the EP – The Last Ones and I Am A Locust –
carry on the superb mix of heavy and weird styles the band play and
use so well on these two songs. The EP has a strange 60s/70s Psych
Rock environment but still allowing the listener to experience a
heavier style of Psychedelic Stoner Rock which can be quite hard to
describe in places.
If
you’re a fan of bands such as King Buffalo, ELDER and Weedpecker
then Hovenweep play that similar style of music whilst focusing on
playing their own original style of music. The vocals are a mix of
clean vocals and heavy growls and I didn’t expect the heavy growls
at all. So KUDOS to Hovenweep for trying something different with
this record.
The
EP sounds superb from start to finish and allows Hovenweep to sound
super-cool
in places. The EP has quite a progressive dynamic to it all that you
wouldn’t expect for a debut release.
Overall,
Hovenweep have released a stunning debut EP that is overflowing with
wonderful ideas that demands multiple listens to fully appreciate.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
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