Release Date: May 12th 2023. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds/Tuff Cuff Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Vol. II: Tracklisting
Permafrost
Leviathan Rising
Red Weed
Ceremonial Blood
Neo Nephilim
Golden Death Machine
Invasion
The End
Members
Tim Lancken - Vocals/Guitar
Yoshi Hauser - Drums
Review
Aussie Sludge/Stoner Metallers Astrodeath new album Vol. II is a major leap forward from the band. As they explore the heavier style of Sludge/Stoner Metal drawing influences from bands such as Black Cobra, High On Fire, Mastodon and Kylesa. The music has a distinctive Aussie Hard Rock Quality whilst still having that WEEDIAN style we all know and love. Throw in a buoyant Punk Rock and Classic Heavy Metal energy and this hard-hitting duo know how to create heavy aggressive grooves they play with a sense of destruction on this album.
Opening song Permafrost is a turbo-charged affair taking mid-noughties Sludge/Stoner Metal sounds and bringing a modern Psych Metal flavour to the part. The song is catchy and has a slight AMPLIFIER DISTORTION to it all but with a turbo-charged pace leaving you quite breathless at times. The song does have some small elements of Hardcore and Metallic qualities but Astrodeath remain firmly in the lane of Sludge/Stoner Metal with a song that has a muscular edge. The vocals are top-notch and they have a certain LEMMY influence to them. A great way to open the album with.
Second song Leviathan Rising takes on a slightly Progressive attitude with the band going into more fantastical territory with their lyrics but the band pull this off with style thanks to the fast-paced Psychedelic Sludgy grooves that lead Astrodeath onto bigger, better and heavier moments. The music is melodic and sligthly chaotic but the modern day sounds and clean vocals showcases another great track from the band which is perhaps one of the best tracks on the album.
Third track Red Weed is a sludgy and fuzzy tale with Astrodeath providing a more WEEDIAN style track. The vocals and music are constantly engaging yet again. Subtle Stoner moments bring moments of uplifting Psych Rock/Metal though the bleak lyrics keeps everything real and grounded. There's a lot of guitar reverb and feedback which almost drowns everything out but the drums feel like they have a battering ram being played on top of them. The song is at it's best when Astrodeath plays a less aggressive style of music. As you can soak everything in and be impressed by the multiple different styles of grooves and riffs this track actually has.
Fourth song Ceremonial Blood ventures into a more Doom based area that opens with a Post-Doom or Post-Psych melodic and solitary guitar. Though, a demonic voice changes all that with Astordeath returning to their bombastic style of gloomy Sludge/Stoner Metal. The song has an early High On Fire quality with flashes of Electric Wizard imagery contained within the lyrics. The vocals are mostly clean based with some harsh moments appearing. Astrodeath come into their own creative vision on the second half of the track with impressive guitar sounds and aggressive drumming leading the way.
The second half of the album sees Astrodeath lean further into their musical influences with perhaps some of the heaviest and most addictive parts of the album. Standout tracks here include Neo Nephilim, Golden Death Machine and The End. There's a lot of different guitar shredding here which makes the album its very own thing. Astrodeath include bleak lyrics and harsh vocals on the second half but still find the time to include a wide array of different WEEDIAN moments.
For a duo, Astrodeath are constantly LOUD and never rest on their laurels. They always aim to bring a refreshing style of modern sounding HEAVINESS. There's a lot to admire on this album which allows Astrodeath being one of the best bands I've heard from the Aussie Sludge/Stoner Metal underground scene in quite some time.
With the backing of Heavy Psych Sounds co-releasing this album along with Tuff Cuff Records then I can see Astrodeath making a huge impression with the underground scene. The album sounds intense and earth-shaking violent thanks to the stunning production values contained on the album.
Vol. II is a wonderfully aggressive Sludge/Stoner Metal album to pulverise and destroy the senses with.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.
Vol. II will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds and Tuff Cuff Records from Friday 12th May 2023.
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