Date Released: September 23rd 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Echo Hall: Tracklisting
1.Learn to Feel 05:05
2.The Ghost House 08:09
3.Guardian of the Grave 04:01
4.Hollow Bones 03:55
Members
Chris Latta - Vocals, bass, rhythm guitar
Jessie Browne-Michaels - Vocals, saxophone
Patrick Phillips - Drums
Leah Andrews - Keyboards, synthesizers
Cicatrix - All guitars on "The Ghost House," solos on "Learn to Feel" and "Guardian of the Grave"
Review
Echo Hall is the debut EP from Psych Doom/Stoner Rockers The Skyspeakers and the band arei influenced by bands such as Ruby Hatchet, Uncle Acid and Blackwater Holylight. So the EP contains a retro and gloomy style of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Rock with the vocals being more Folk/Americana based. This isn’t the type of music I usually go for right away and this did take a few listens to fully appreciate.
Opening song Learn To Feel is a slow-paced Folk Rock/Americana number with strands of 60s/70s Occult Rock with echoes of Post-Rock amongst the weird Psychedelic grooves. There’s some heavy guitar sounds on the later stages of the song and the haunting dual vocals from Chris and Jessie elevate the song to a stronger creative peak. This track is very melodic and fits in superbly well with the Prog Rock and Gloomy rhythms that remains one of the strongest aspects of The Skyspeakers in general.
Second song The Ghost House is the standout track and the band turn over many different levels of gloomy atmospheric rock. The song runs past the eight minutes mark and The Skyspeakers play cautiously slowly yet again but they play an exciting blend of Post-Rock and Americana sounds that does remind me of Blackwater Holylight. The lyrics have a slight GOTHIC twinge and Alternative flow that moves into heavier areas of distorted DOOM. Hell, the band even add elements of Jazz and Funk to the party and I never expected that at all.
The other two songs Guardian Of The Grave and Hollow Bones move further into the gloomy rock arena with perhaps more experimentation for a richer and fuller sound especially on Guardian Of The Grave.
Echo Hall can be a hard record to like at first but it’s got HEART and SOUL that does leave you wanting to hear more. The production is clear and solid that allows The Skyspeakers to play their music in a highly confident way.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
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