Monday 21 December 2020

WALL - S/T (EP Review)


Release date: January 15th 2021. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD

WALL – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Wrath Of The Serpent
2.Sonic Mass
3.Obsidian
4.Legion
5.Electric Funeral


Members

Ryan Cole - Guitar & Bass
Elliot Cole - Drums & Percussion

Vocals on Electric Funeral by Dave Oglesby


Review

Wall is the new band from Ryan and Elliot Cole, better known as members of UK Sludge/Stoner Metal Royalty – Desert Storm. This project came was conceived during COVID-19 Lockdown and the guys trying to find a way of stopping the boredom setting in and having a musical output for their creative endeavours. So WALL was born.

Their debut self-titled EP is a heavy and aggressive affair which is made up of ideas and musical themes the guys have been involved in with projects such as Desert Storm and The Grand Mal. Though, this band and subsequent release is instrumental but the band have included a cover of Black Sabbath classic – Electric Funeral as well.

The EP is mighty fine slab of mostly Instrumental Sludge, Doom and Stoner Metal with the guys influenced more perhaps by their good pals KARMA TO BURN who they’ve toured with multiple times over the years. Wall bring a more psychedelic flair to their style of Instrumental Rock/Metal and offer a heavier Doom Metal sound on this release.

Whilst we’ve heard this style of music before, it’s good to see Ryan and Elliot venturing into the more Progressive side of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal and perhaps elements of Mastodon being added for that extra layer of Progressive Metal goodness.

The standout songs are perhaps: Wrath Of The Serpent, Sonic Mass and Obsidian. As they have the more interesting and creative ideas on the EP. Though 4th song – Legion - is n slouch either with some hard-hitting riffs leaving you wanting more.

The final song is the Black Sabbath cover of Electric Funeral where the guys are joined by Dave-O from The Grand Mal. This is a very good cover indeed and even though I’m starting to feel major “Black Sabbath Cover” fatigue with the endless covers that have been released already in 2020, this cover I have plenty of time for. As I’m a fan of Dave-O’s vocals and what he brings to the table. A highly confident performance where he manages to put his spin on things.

For a debut release, this EP is a mighty fine and superbly entertaining effort. The guys have said the following about WALL’s future.

“Wall was initially started as a covid lockdown project, but we’re up for touring and writing more for sure...we’ll what happens!’

On this release alone, I’m hoping the guys continue with Wall and release more records. As they feel well suited to the world of Instrumental Sludge/Stoner Metal.

Overall, this is a release worth checking out and adding to your record collection if you’re a fan of bands such as Karma To Burn, Mastodon and I better say DESERT STORM as well….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to APF Records for the promo. Wall Self-Titled EP will be available to buy on DD via APF Records from Jan 15th 2021.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp