Release Date: May 19th 2023. Record Label: Animated Insanity Records (USA) / No Dust Records (EU). Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Divination:Tracklisting
1.Whiskey Bent 03:18
2.Divination 04:10
3.Kickstands Up 03:16
4.Stardust 04:20
5.Born to lose 04:54
6.Rise from the Fallen 05:22
7.Spellbound 03:29
8.Bottomfeeder 04:22
9.In Memoriam 04:57
Members
Dan Frick (guitars/vocals)
Kip Page (bass)
Ian Holloway (guitars/vocals)
Lou Voutaritsas (drums)
Review
Divination is the new album from Stoner Metal outlaws Formula 400 which follows the same path as their celebrated debut album Heathens. There’s a lot more HEAVY METAL influences on this album with Formula 400 offering a more well rounded sound. The album still retains that Streetwise Doom/Stoner Metal sound with Formula 400 inspired by bands such as Corrosion Of Conformity, Crowbar, Fu Manchu, Motorhead and Thin Lizzy.
Formula 400 refined their Twin Guitar sound that has a more menacing and riffier approach on the excellent batch of opening songs of Whiskey Bent, Divination and Kickstands Up. These tracks show FUZZ based maturity that elevates into a violent barrage of Psychedelic Rock and Heavy Metal grooves. There’s small instances of the “WEEDIAN” way of life but Formula 400 remains firmly in the era of Classic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal which bands such as DUEL and HAUNT have used recently. Though all those three great bands bring their own style of music to the underground scene. Formula 400 perhaps has more GRIT to their music and the abrasive vocals only add to the KICK-ASS Outlaw Biker nature of this album.
Divination does have a different creative energy to 2020’s Heathens with the lyrics being more dominant and daring to their debut effort.
The album takes on a Motorhead persona with a Sludge/Doom afterthought on tracks such as Stardust, Born To Lose and Rise From The Fallen. There’s a high reliance on that CLASSIC TWIN GUITAR sound which I have no complaints with. As these guys pay homage to THIN LIZZY in a big way but with modern slabs of Stoner Rock/Metal allowing the album to become a more violent music adventure with the clever use of Motorbike sound effects along the way.
Divination allows Formula 400 to play slower grooves which gradually build upto that a faster style of music which is where the band impresses the most. As their technical ability is second to none with this record having too many great GUITAR SOLOS and EXTENDED JAMS to mention.
The final parts of the album allows Formula 400 to expand their creative horizons with the band playing different styles of music on Spellbound and Bottomfeeder which are mostly Outlaw based Fuzz/Stoner Metal but expect moments of Classic Hard Rock, NOLA based Sludge, and Psychedelic Rock to play a major part perhaps mostly so on Bottomfeeder.
The final song In Memoriam has a more reflective sound and is perhaps the standout track on the album. It’s maybe not the heaviest but it sees the band merging Post-Doom/Post-Stoner sounds with 1980’s Heavy Metal grooves. The song can become a bit of a “BALLAD” in places but it shows a different side to Formula 400 that ends the album in triumphant fashion.
Divination benefits from sublime production values that feel both classic sounding and modern based when the time calls for it. Formula 400 has exceeded all expectations with this release and I see the Stoner Metal Underground scene community being quite taken with this album in no time at all. This is an action packed release full of first rate songs that almost feel like a greatest hits package than the band’s second album.
Words by Steve Howe
Divination is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Animated Insanity Records (USA) and No Dust Records (EU)
Links
Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
