Date Released: September 30th 2022. Record Label: Listenable Insanity Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Path Of 1000 Suns: Tracklisting
1.Hello Future 03:43
2.Umbilicus 04:38
3.Gates Of Neptune 06:39
4.I, Human 04:12
5.Stump Sponge 03:25
6.My Own Tide 04:08
7.Life On The Sun 04:37
8.The Call 04:02
9.Traveler 03:35
10.Gathering At The Kuiper Belt 06:12
Members
Brian Stephenson - Vocals/Lyrics
Paul Mazurkiewicz - Drums
Taylor Nordberg - Guitars
Vernon Blake - Bass
Review
Can we call Umbilicus a Supergroup? Yeah, I think we can. As we have band members from legendary bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Decide, FORE and Anarchus. When you have band members from the more extreme side of metal then you would expect a harsh and uncompromising listen. Not with Umbilicus. As these guys play primarily Classic Rock firmly rooted in the legendary 70’s Hard Rock scene with nods to the Doom/Stoner Rock scene along the way.
Their debut album Path Of 1000 Suns is full of sounds you’ve heard multiple times before if you’re a dedicated fan of the Classic Hard Rock scene. However, there is an undeniable original charm to the album with Umbilicus having a cool sounding Psychedelic and almost funky vibe that’s fully realised within the excellent opening song Hello Future. A 70’s Hard Rock track with laid back attitude and with a glorious hip swagger.
The music is quite bouncy with the slightly OTT vocals that only adds to Umbilicus overall charm. There is a huge amount of cool sounding guitar grooves heard throughout the album and if you’re a fan of Led Zepp, Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Aerosmith and even The Who then Umbilicus could perhaps take those bands as their main musical influences. Whilst still creating an album with Umbilicus own undeniable charm.
The album is built upon a steady diet of 70’s Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Where the music was fun with no hidden meaning to it all.
Other great songs are: Umbilicus, Gates Of Neptune, My Own Tide, The Call and Gathering At The Kulper Belt.
These songs where Umbilicus show the most creative passion and bring out their best parts of the album especially on Umbilicus and Gathering At The Kulper Belt.
My favourite track is the final 6 minute plus opus Gathering At The Kulper Belt. As the track has multiple different changes and takes the album into new exciting directions especially when the heavier and melodic components are quite different to each other.
The lyrics and vocals are excellent, even spellbinding at times. Brian Stephenson delivers a first rate vocal performance with outstanding lyrics to match. Plus the other members (Paul, Taylor and Vernon) provide excellent instrumental sounds for the whole band to fully work.
This is first rate entertainment with a wealth of great grooves and riffs to fully lose yourself in one that allows for Path Of 1000 Suns to be perhaps the quintessential Classic Hard Rock Album Of 2022.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Keith at Infecting Cells for the promo.
Path Of 1000 Suns is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Listening Insanity Records.
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