Release Date: December 09th 2022. Record Label: Kozmik Artifactz. Formats: DD/Vinyl
II - Tracklisting
1.Ascent 01:21
2.Megalith 04:08
3.Blacklight 04:54
4.Temple 02:03
5.Bind the Night 05:03
6.Parasite 09:41
7.Descent 01:35
8.Aries 05:29
Members
Larry Donaldson
Chad Duncan
Dustin Roberts
Review
The Doom/Stoner Metal Underground scene has been eagerly awaiting new material from Midwestern Doom/Stoner Metallers Snowchild. And the musical gods have spoken with II. The band’s first new album in over six years. I initially thought the guys had split up and I will admit I was a bit underwhelmed listening to this album for the first time. Then, I stepped back and enjoyed the album a few times before writing my final thoughts.
I’m glad I did that as I freaking adore this album. Quite similar to Age Of Change with it’s Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal sounds but also refreshingly different as well with Snowchild adding a more haunting Ambient drive. Snowchild takes influence from the Black Sabbath school of AMPLIFIER based grooves but with a modern day Psych/Prog Rock flourish.
The opening songs of Ascent and Megalith allow Snowchild the opportunity to adapt a more Ambient driven atmosphere with the opening track of Ascent being a fabulous sounding and quite gloomy instrumental track that has a slight Electronica feel to it.
Second song Megalith is where the real magic happens with finely played and fast-paced subtle Psych Doom/Stoner Metal atmospherics with that Black Sabbath swagger but with a cautious Post-Rock element. The music is expertly progressive with a subtle melodic sound that allows Snowchild deliver intense creative compositions which feel classically understated and beautifully modern at the same time.
Third song Blacklight opts for a more classic style of 70’s Hard Rock fashion with a great sense of bravado with the sublime vocal delivery and fantastic lyrics that appear on the song. The song becomes more modern with Snowchild’s clever use of Psychedelic and Spaced Out themes. Blacklight is Snowchild at their creative best. First rate and powerful ideas told through a wonderfully creative and WEEDIAN microscopic lens.
Fourth song Temple is more of a gloomy distorted offering with solitary guitars with a droned out identity. Quite different from Snowchild and the excellent use of synths and ambient noises allow this to be one of the most interesting tracks on the album despite the short running time of the song.
Bind The Night sees Snowchild delves further into their Doom Metal persona with flashes of Psychedelic and Progressive paranoia on slowly building up AMPLIFIER and LOW & SLOW atmospheric sounds yet again. The vocals do feel inspired by Ozzy Osbourne in places but still retain their own sound and identity of their own. Though, it’s the music that impresses the most yet again with Snowchild playing some mighty fine extended guitar solos and musical jams on the later stages of the song.
Up next is Parasite which is more of a Blues Rock and slowly played number with Snowchild perhaps tugging on the heartstrings with their cautious approach with everything on this track. Though, the band start adding small pieces of Psychedelic Gloominess. The song sees Snowchild adding Pink Floyd influences to the vocals and lyrical content. There’s even a “MOBILE PHONE or LIGHTER IN THE AIR” element to this song in places but Snowchild venture further into heavier areas of music on the second half of the album which allow this to be the finest track on the album but perhaps Snowchild’s best song and creative effort to date.
The final two songs of Descent and Aries allow Snowchild to wrap this album in a highly convincing fashion with perhaps a heavier and thunderous drive compared to Parasite.
Snowchild have once again delivered the goods with II and with the album having first rate production values, this is the type of album the Doom/Stoner Metal underground always goes crazy for. And it’s not hard to see why.
II is an essential Doom/Stoner Metal album to own and a late entry for Album Of The Year contender.
Let’s hope Snowchild doesn't wait for another six years to release another album.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Kozmik Artifactz for the promo.
II is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Kozmik Artifactz
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