Release Date: February 17th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Ways Of Avicenna: Tracklisting
Madrassa
Thunderstorm
Reach For The Sun
Disgrace
Mystical Appeal
Forsaken Land
Members
François Roze de Gracia - Guitars/Vocals
Jason Recoing - Bass/Backing Vocals
Antoine Ebel - Drums/Percussions
Alexandre Haquet - Synth (Madrassa)
Review
French Psych Stoner Rockers Pelegrin return in spectacular fashion with their new album Ways Of Avicenna which sees the band blend Mystic Rock, Post-Rock, Doom Rock and a sense of world building Prog Rock. Taking cues from their celebrated 2019 debut album Al-Mahruqa but with a wilder style of creative choices that blur the realms of Hard Rock and Heavy Rock.
The album remains trippy with some mighty fine "Poppier" moments which you can hear in the opening stages of the album on songs such as Madrassa and Thunderstorm. The music does veer on the more mystical side of Prog Rock especially with the cool vocals and sullen guitar sounds but there's a Stoner Rock/Metal approach that feels quite stripped back but still offering moments of frenzied heaviness. Sure, there's an experimental approach but Pelegrin still aims for "AMPLIFIER" style grooves that have a classic DOOM sound to them in places.
The album continues with that style with a much needed boost in Fuzzed Up Desert Rock allowing Pelegrin playing heavier styles of Mystic influenced Doom/Stoner Metal with the band also playing elements of Classic Rock that even allows the band to include melodic guitar solos along the way.
Third song Reach For The Sun deserves a special mention with Pelegrin playing a heavier style of music whilst making bold creative choices along the way. Some of these choices shouldn't really work but they sound superb throughout this track alone. Classic Hard Rock guitar solos, Ambient Post-Rock Passages and that Mystic Rock drive with Progressive based themes building up a stunning array of different sounds.
The remaining three tracks of Disgrace, Mystical Appeal and Forsaken Land is perhaps the most and heavily mystical part of the album that allows Pelegrin to become more experimental but still retaining that STONER flavour that makes their music so fresh and essential. The album perhaps becomes more Jazzy along the way but the superb instrumental work makes the journey worthwhile.
Ways Of Avicenna is all about movement and this album moves in so many different directions that it's a complete and utter joy to listen to. With first rate production values allowing Pelegrin to create their own original blend of music that you'll find very hard to beat. Kudos goes to the band also for bringing Kent Stump of WO FAT fame to master this album and with the band's very own François Roze de Gracia contributing with Recording and Mixing duties as well.
All in all, Pelegrin have released an exquisite sounding release that may have the potential to be an essential part of the Psych Stoner Rock/Metal underground scene.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.
Ways Of Avicenna is available to buy now on CD/DD/VInyl.
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