Optical Delusions – Tracklisting
1.Phantasmagoria 05:30
2.Scorpion In The Sand 04:49
3.Snake Eyes 03:21
4.Sun Eater 05:55
5.Order Of The Solar Temple 06:09
6.Hell On Earth 03:47
7.Devil's Game 05:07
8.No Man's Land 05:12
Members
George Baba – guitar/keys/vocals
Philip Bennett – guitar/vocals
Chris Tamez – bass
Ethan Tamez – drums
Review
Psych Doom Rockers Warlung take a more nuanced and different approach with their latest album Optical Delusions with the band adding a classic Heavy Metal Feel to their music at times. It’s been slightly there on their previous albums but not as dominant on this album. The Horror/Occult Themes are still there with the band giving the Occult Rock Groove a mighty kick-in-the-ass with with heavy slabs of Doom/Stoner Rock. This all mounts upto a fantastic and exciting slice of Modern based Occult/Doom Stoner Rock.
The album opens with Phantasmagoria which is the perfect combination of Halloween based thrills and chills with a lean sounding Stoner Groove that the band have fun playing mixing classic styles of Heavy Metal that reminds myself of Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats jamming with Thin Lizzy and Blue Oyster Cult especially with the vocals and progressive riffs contained within the song.
Warlung take the classic “Twin Guitar” sound to their heart on this record as it oozes Thin Lizzy style goodness which should keep the Old-School Hard Rock/Metal fan impressed along with the modern Doom/Stoner Rock fan looking for some trippy Psychedelic sounds that is becoming the standard for most albums such as this.
Optical Delusions lasts for around 40 minutes but it feels longer and that’s a good thing with Warlung playing through a collection of great songs that merges the different styles of Hard Rock/Metal whilst remaining timeless and modern from start to finish.
Warlung’s songwriting skills have improved since their last record with Optical Delusions having some top-notch lyrics that you will be singing along to with the heavy Psychedelic mix of 70s and modern based riffs.
Songs such as: Scorpion In The Sand, Snake Eyes, Order Of The Solar Temple and Devil’s Game are the ones that impressed myself the most and the ones I had the most fun rocking out to. Even though there’s a sense of OTT seriousness to Warlung’s creative ideas, the guys never lose the focus to have fun with their music and this is action packed with addictive grooves and leaving the listener with tons of devilish fun along the way.
I didn’t realized that Warlung signed to Heavy Psych Sounds until recently and it’s a perfect fit for both parties. It’s a cool label for Warlung to be part of. Especially with their previous two albums being reissued recently by the label. More top-notch work by Gabe and company.
Anyway, back to Optical Delusions. Warlung have delivered another great album that is also helped along by top-notch production as well. This is an album that delivers plenty bang for your buck and is ALL KILLER and NO FILLER….
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All Noir PR for the promo. Optical Delusions is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Heavy Psych Sounds.
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