Release Date: April 08th 2023. Record Label: Iron Head Records. Formats: DD
Bristlecone: Tracklisting
1.Pins and Needles 03:42
2.Loper 05:21
3.Lorena Hobbit 03:57
4.Rat Feast 04:56
5.Bristlecone 06:19
Review
Bristlecone is the new release from Heavy Stoner Rockers Sea Of Flame who take a “Back To Basics” approach with their music. The music is fast-paced and very direct when the Thrash based grooves appear with that slightly Punk tinged sound. Sea Of Flame play to their strengths and offer sounds inspired by bands such as Orange Goblin.
Opening track Pins and Needles has multiple beatdowns and thrash beats that does feel inspired by Metallica in places but the STONER influences are there but with a more Heavy Metal edge. The song has a vibrant “TROUBLEMAKER” quality to it with the music always being constantly aggressive. There’s some melodic moments but it’s mostly of the more ferocious kind that the band plays with absolute relish.
Second track Loper opens with a more Psychedelic sound before moving into a familiar Stoner groove that is quite gloomy when the song finally moves up a gear. The vocals are reminiscent of 90’s era Stoner Metal with some KYUSS based riffs moving this song to its powerful conclusion. Loper is one of the standout tracks on the EP and the band play some of the heaviest FUZZ based grooves on the record.
Third track Lorena Hobbit is one of the more interesting creative styles for the EP. As the band merges Thrash, Stoner, Fuzz and Desert Rock into one crazed package. The vocals are slightly a bit over the place but they’re sung with pure energy and conviction. The music moves from straight forward Stoner riffs to the more crazed Psychedelic and Doomed Out carnage that brings the Thrash Metal approach to the WEEDIAN sound that Sea Of Flame are ultimately a part of.
Fourth song Rat Feast sets the scene for Sea Of Flame play fast and loose with genre conventions with extended jams winning the day that has an EARTHLESS quality to it when the freaky Psychedelic guitar solos appear. The vocals appear briefly and the song works best when it’s purely an instrumental track that shows what great musicians the band really are.
Bristlecone is more a Blues/Psych Rock number with outbursts of Thrash based Stoner aggression. Sea Of Flame switches musical styles with relevant ease that show a softer side to the band but still remaining violently aggressive when the time calls for it. The band even find time to include styles of Americana and Boogie Rock which I didn't expect at all.
This EP is a superbly entertaining release that benefits from superb production values and perhaps showcases a great band to root for within the underground scene.
Words by Steve Howe
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