Release Date: April 28th 2023. Record Label: Argonauta Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Goat Rider: Tracklisting
Among The Ruins
Pyramids Planet
Goat Rider
Pazuzu (3.33)
Cosmic Voyagers
Moriendoom (La ballata di ippolita oderisi)
Monolithic
Dancing Plague
Members
PRNX - Drums
Francesco - Vocals/Bass
Giuseppe - Vocals/Guitars
Review
King Potenaz new album Goat Rider has all the right ingredients for a stone cold classic Doom/Stoner Metal album which draws upon bands such as Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, KYUSS, Monster Magnet and SLEEP but with a slightly aggressive Occult Metal sound. The album is filled with passionate vocals that do feel inspired by Dave Wyndorf in places with the gloomy atmospherics and FUZZED UP grooves allowing King Potenaz play a sound that's both classic sounding and superbly modern at the same time.
The dramatic use of Psychedelic Sounds has an eerie 1970's attitude with the 1990's based Stoner Metal approach. The band add a Post-Doom element to their sound which translates into Spaced Out vibes on the more quieter and restrained parts of the album.
Opening tracks Across The Ruins and Pyramids Planet leaves no stone unturned by bringing a holistic style of WEEDIAN sounds that can be quite melodic and downright aggressive which comes into play mostly on Pyramids Planet. Heavy droned out textures allows King Potenaz to adopt a more FUZZIER style of music that leads to some impressive extended sludgy jams. The Occult Rock/Metal nature of the album is quite abstract within Across The Ruins but comes more into focus on Pyramids Planet.
The vocals are quite dramatic but feel part of the Doom/Stoner Metal hierarchy with the music moving at a cool engaging pace. The instrumental work varies from different time frames of the WEEDIAN genre but becomes more modern when the swirling Psychedelic Atmospherics appear. Italian Doom/Stoner Metal bands always add a grittier style to their music and King Potenaz are no different with the band moving further into AMPLIFIER DISTORTION territory.
King Potenaz keep up the breakneck speed of guitar reverb and spaced out grooves on tracks such as Goat Ride and Pazuzu (3.33) Cosmic Voyagers is more of a Post-Rock instrumental affair which takes a "Less Is More" approach for a different sound from the band. Consistency is key for this album and King Potenaz go into overdrive on Goat Rider and Pazuzu being some of the standout tracks of the album. The vocals have a more classical feel at times but the music is inspired by KYUSS and Monster Magnet here. It's quite a dramatic shift but showcases that King Potenaz is not afraid to experiment with their music. The FUZZ grooves are slightly more down-tuned but the record still moves along at a cracking pace.
The final third of the album allows King Potenaz to play the gloomiest and fuzziest parts of the album. You could say it takes a more Occult and Drone based route on the remaining three tracks of: Moriendoom (La ballata di ippolita oderisi), Monolithic and Dancing Plague. However, the instrumental work constantly remains part of the Doom/Stoner Metal world but with perhaps more reliance on Cosmic based Sonic exploration.
Goat Rider benefits from excellent production values which marries the different sounds and themes perfectly that King Potenaz has created for this album. With Italian Powerhouse Label Argonauta Records releasing this album, this allows the record to be first rate and must have release from the Italian Doom/Stoner Metal scene.
King Potenaz have delivered the goods with Goat Rider and should allow the band to build up a formidable reputation within the Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene. Don't be surprised if you see Goat Rider claiming multiple accolades on Best Albums Of 2023 lists before the year is out. This is seriously that good.
Awesome stuff...
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Grand Sounds PR for the promo.
Goat Rider will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Argonauta Records from Friday 28th April 2023.
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