Release Date: July 01st 2022. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Kalpa - Tracklisting
1.Heavy Hand 04:08
2.Zombie Barricade 04:57
3.Dead City Lights 03:19
4.Through the Halls of Sleep 06:42
5.0° 04:53
6.Earth Mother 04:34
7.99 Eyes 03:43
8.Follow the Crow 05:13
Members
Aron Andersson ; Vocals
Ole Sjölund : Guitar
Peter Norstedt : Guitar
Nicklas Viberg : Guitar
Beppe Starbrink : Bass
Oskar Melander : Drums + Backing Vocals
Review
Swedish Stoner Metallers Mexicoma awaken from their nine year slumber with their new album Kalpa. Newly signed to Majestic Mountain Records and with a new lead singer Aron Andersson in their ranks, Mexicoma feel rejuvenated on this release and bring a more refreshing style of music compared to their previous releases.
Though, Kalpa still has more than enough moments to keep their established fan-base extremely happy. The music is more sludgier and grungier with the band firing on all cylinders within the upbeat opening track Heavy Hand. The song harks back to classic era Monster Magnet with a ferocious Classic Hard Rock vibe with some fantastic guitar riffs and solos flying out of nowhere. Aron Andersson does bring an eighties Hard Rock persona to Mexicoma and it pays off big time. The music is super-fresh with its great mix of Psych Rock, Desert Rock and Stoner Metal vibes.
Mexicoma plays with three guitarists and their overall tone is very multi-layered with the band playing different styles of Desert Rock and Stoner Metal at the same time. They do switch the mood around for the majority of the album and allow the record to branch out into other areas of Hard Rock and Metal whilst still embracing the whole “WEEDIAN” and Sound Of The Desert philosophy.
The rest of the album follows the same structure and pattern of the opening song but still bringing a fresh perspective with the heavy and hazy Psychedelic sounds on songs such as: Zombie Barricade, Through The Halls Of Sleep, Earth Mother and Follow The Crow.
There are elements of distorted sludgy vibes that allow Kalpa to be quite progressive in places which is understandable for Mexicoma. As they do originate from the legendary Stoner Metal underground scene. The instrumental work is absolutely first rate with stunning production values allowing Mexicoma to fit right in with today’s modern Stoner Rock/Metal scene.
Obviously you can compare these guys to the heavy hitters of the scene such as Monster Magnet, KYUSS and Fu Manchu. However, Kalpa allows the band the opportunity to do their own thing with a fresh “Blues Rock” perspective. I can see why Majestic Mountain Records signed these guys to their roster. As Mexicoma have delivered their strongest material to date and perhaps entice a whole legion of new fans along the way.
Overall, Kalpa packs a mighty Psychedelic Stoner Metal punch and has a tons of great riffs throughout the album.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Sheltered Life PR for the promo.
Get your wax here: https://majesticmountainrecords.bigcartel.com/.../mexicom.
For our CD fans, digipak is available over on the band’s Bandcamp Page:
