Release Date: April 21st 2023. Record Label: Cursed Monk Records. Formats: CD/DDl
Voyage Into Cosmos: Tracklisting
1.Blazed And Confused
2.Astral Gold
3.Low Frequency Disturbance
4.Noise Pollution
5.Dim Of Wit
6.Untitled
7.Voyage Into Cosmos
Review
Voyage Into Cosmos is the debut album from Doomed Out Sludge/Stoner Metallers Slung From A Tree who fuse the Cosmic Weedian sounds of Sleep, the bleak heaviness of EYEHATEGOD and the FUZZED UP grooves of Electric Wizard. The album is a stunning mix of different styles of the underground scene with little flourishes of Psych Rock and Space Rock that all build upto a heavy down-tuned experience.
The album captures the early 90’s Stoner Metal sound whilst giving it a more downbeat and nihilistic Sludge Metal feel whilst bringing some fantastic harsh growls that gives it a more extreme climate to other bands within the scene.
The first two songs “Blazed and Confused” and Astral Gold offer a valuable insight on what to expect on the album with Slung From A Tree playing AMPLIFIER RIFF WORSHIP sounds with a dark FUZZ groove that moves along at a cracking pace. The Psychedelic and Cosmic energy is some of the best I’ve heard since SLEEP’s classic album The Sciences. There maybe some moments that are often an HOMAGE to that legendary band but Slung From A Tree stands apart with their bleak insight into other areas of music with the down-tuned momentum they play here on the album.
Third track Low Frequency Disturbance opts for a more Droned Out style with the band performing with high levels of dramatic DISTORTION which turns into a fine jamming session in places. The song is constantly moving onto different levels of heaviness with the Psychedelic energy having a more “freakout” presence when the punishing guitar solos fully take over for an action-packed sound.
Fourth track Noise Pollution continues with the distorted and down-tuned vision from the band. The song does start slowly with elements of Fuzzed Up Doom/Sludge Metal before the band fully move into action with flashes of Psychedelic Textures. The vocals are chaotic and more extreme for this style of music but this works brilliantly well for the band. There is a lot to take in for this track but everything works as it should. It has a classic WEEDIAN and SPACED OUT energy to it all with flashes of progression and aggression in equal measure.
The final three tracks of the album (Dim Of Wit, Untitled and Voyage Into Cosmos) is where Slung From A Tree really shines, as they leave the finest and heaviest sounds for this part of the album. There’s more SONIC exploration here and perhaps experimentation especially on Dim Of Wit. The sound can be very Post-Stoner or Post-Doom in places with the band using a distinctive style of playing their heaviest grooves. This part of the album can also be very claustrophobic with the stripped back production values. Though, the instrumental work is immense and the band even find time to be quite flashy in places which showcases what damn good musicians they actually are.
Untitled and Voyage Into Cosmos are the standout tracks for the whole album. As these tracks start slowly and peacefully before exploring further down the Cosmic/Psych/Space Rock Rabbit Hole. These songs are also the most progressive but the wonderful use of different styles will put you in Psychedelic trance. There’s an UFOMAMMUT (EVE era) energy on these tracks and perhaps the overall creative flow of the album whilst remaining true to their creative vision.
Voyage Into Cosmos is an absolute joy from start to finish and I loved the bleakness of the album. I for one didn’t expect that would work so well for a Psychedelic and Spaced Out album such as this. Slung From A Tree have done themselves proud with this release and will no doubt gain new fans within the Underground scene.
This is a pulsating and breathtaking album that packs a mighty punch and perhaps end up becoming one of the albums of the year for me. It’s simply that good. Fantastic stuff.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Cursed Monk Records for the promo.
Voyage Into Cosmos will be available to buy on CD/DD via Cursed Monk Records from April 21st 2023.
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