Release Date: July 08th 2022. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Cosmic Awakening - Tracklisting
Cosmic Awakening Pt 1 - Forsaken Slumber
Cosmic Awakening Pt 2 - First Radiation
Hunters Of The Moon
Desert Collision
Raktabija
Covered In Earth's Blood
Stellar Cloud
Secreternal
Members
Leandro Gaccione - Guitar
Edoardo De Nardi - Bass
Tommaso Urzino - Drums
Review
Cosmic Awakening is the debut album from Psych/Doom/Stoner based Instrumentalists Lord Elephant and is a Spaced Out Adventure that focuses more on Extended Jams to get their Psychedelic message across the Stoner Rock underground. Taking an Earthless style narrative with a heavy sideline in the gloomier style of Psych Doom/Stoner Metal that will appeal to fans of Belzebong in places.
The album opens with the excellent two-part songs of Cosmic Awakening Pt 1 - Forsaken Slumber and Cosmic Awakening Pt 2 - First Radiation. With heavy instrumental psych jams that bring a certain Blues Rock vibe flavour before Lord Elephant start playing "AMPLIFIER" fast paced riff worship whilst a cool "LOW & SLOW" attitude appears before that. The songs are constantly changing Psychedelic Stoner Rock moods and allows the band to impress with their direct style of Instrumental Rock/Metal.
Perhaps playing with more "Aggressive Energy" on the later stages of both tracks, this is a good indication on where the album ends up becoming on the other songs of the album. However, this highly talented "Power Trio '' sure knows how to play sublime extended riffs that last an age. Quite progressive in places and even seeing the band merge the different sounds of Classic era Instrumental Stoner Rock with the modern day Psych Doom Metal grooves that allows the music become ever so heavier.
Third song Hunters Of The Moon is my favourite track on the album with Lord Elephant bringing a "Drone" quality to the album whilst still having a SOLID sounding Blues Rock flow switching between Doom Metal and almost Ambient Stoner Rock. The Psychedelic Swirls can be "Jazzy" in places with the band keeping the music warm and engaging from start to finish. The song is fast paced with Lord Elephant playing through many different movements of the Doom/Stoner Rock underground with a few surprises along the way. The instrumental work is sublime yet again from Lord Elephant and creating highly original groove of their own making.
Other standout songs include: Desert Collision, Raktabija, Stellar Cloud and Secreternal.
As Lord Elephant goes even wilder and crazier with their musical themes and ideas that sees the band become more gloomier on the later parts of the album. However, the music still retains that fantastic "WEEDIAN" energy with Lord Elephant impressing with their lush sounding melodies and superbly played music.
Perhaps multiple listens are required to get the full understanding of the album. As it's quite complex and multi-layered with the different styles of music they employ for their creative vision. Backed by wonderful production values that isn't that surprising since this is a Heavy Psych Sounds release.
Lord Elephant have released an outstanding debut release that will see the band make a name for themselves within the Doom/Stoner Metal underground.
Awesome stuff...
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo and all of the details.
Cosmic Awakening will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from July 08th 2022.
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