Release Date: September 9th 2022. Record Label: Small Stoner Recordings. Format:CD/DD/Vinyl
In The Dark - Tracklisting
1.Like Hell
2.Death Tripper
3.Better Living
4.In The Clouds
5.Fever Dreams
6.Body Pillow
7.Leather Jacket
8.White Sand
9.In The Dark
10.Black Tar Mountain
11.East Coast Dreams (Bonus track)
Members
Zachary Amster: guitar and vocals
Taylor Iversen: bass and vocals
Ryan DeWitt: drums
Patrick Alberts: guitar
Review
Psych Stoner Rockers Abrams return with In The Dark that further expands their dreamy and trippy based sound with elements of Sludge Rock, Post-Rock and Ambient Rock for perhaps their most confident release yet. The grooves are plentiful and powerful with Abrams in fine magnetic form. Taking cues from bands such as Torche, Mastodon and Baroness but delivering their own style of Sludge/Stoner Rock.
Opening song Like Hell is powered along by modern day Progressive Stoner grooves with a more distinctive Mastodon grungy vibe. Abrams make this style work to their advantage with powerful vocal performances from Zachary and Taylor. The music is LOUD and quite Radio Friendly at the same time but still being a product of the Stoner Rock underground. This is a song with SOUL and PERSONALITY that carries on through to the rest of the album.
Second song Death Tripper is a more gloomier song with the song moving between Post-Doom and Post-Rock. The music then moves onto heavier themes with a more alternative sound allowing the band to play one of darkest tracks on the album. Throw in some top-notch drumming by Ryan with crunchy guitars courtesy of Patrick and Zachary with Taylor laying down some epic bass along the way.
Third song Better Living is a more hopeful Ambient based Post-Rock or Post-Stoner song that starts slowly and builds up to a more cinematic song. The slow paced nature of this song is one of it’s strongest aspects as this feels like a more personal track from Abrams. The vocals are nuanced with heartfelt lyrics allowing this to be one of the best tracks on the album. This song is still a heavy blast of Sludge/Stoner Rock aggression that leaves you wanting more. Fans of TORCHE and Elephant Tree will get a kick out of this track with Abrams playing a more anthemic style of music.
Fourth song In The Clouds is where Abrams truly excels with HUGE STADIUM SIZED riffs that last an age with a dreamlike Post-Doom edge merging with a classic Alternative/Grunge feel. The music is fast-paced and downright catchy with the right amount of Psychedelic Rock/Metal aggression. This is the standout track of the album that captures Abrams at their creative best. Wait till you hear the epic Sludgy guitar solos within this song.
Four tracks in and this album already has the “WOW” factor. Abrams continue to impress even further with tracks such as:Fever Dreams, Body Pillow, In The Dark and Black Tar Mountain.
The band moves further into their dreamlike world with stunning lyrics, powerhouse vocals and sublime riffs that should see Abrams gain wider recognition from the Sludge/Stoner Rock Underground and even mainstream attention.
Working with Dave Otero once again who is on multiple recording duties as well as co-producing the album along with Abrams. In The Dark is their best collaborative effort yet with everything sounding first rate. Everything is LOUD but with real PURPOSE.
In The Dark is a first rate musical adventure that surprises and amazes with the multiple different genres of music that Abrams have included on the album. This is Abrams most complete album to date and definitely their finest hour yet.
This is an outstanding album and ranks as one of the best Albums Of 2022.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Earsplit PR and Purple Sage PR for the promo.
In The Dark will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Small Stone Recordings from September 9th 2022.
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