Release Date: May 05th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Beyond The Realm Of Common Sense: Tracklisting
Mountain Toker (Summit Smoker)
Space Train
Nibiru
Descending
Drifting Part II
King Of Hesh
Review
Beyond The Realm Of Common Sense is the new album Spaced Out Ambient/Stoner Metallers Grand Atomic who play a distorted style of Fuzz Metal which brings a delicate Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, SLEEP and KYUSS influence into the mix. The record is quite powerful with a BASS heavy attitude which allows Grand Atomic to weave Psychedelic and Spaced Out elements to their music. The atmosphere can be quite Sludge based with the band playing their subtle style of WEEDIAN flavours.
Opening track Mountain Toker (Summit Smoker) draws parallels to legendary Space Wizards SLEEP with a similar style of music. Though, Grand Atomic keeps things moodier, fuzzier and maybe angrier thanks to their Progressive style of Sludge/Stoner Metal and that downbeat style of Fuzz/Desert Rock. The song adds Droned Out Vocals which have a "CHANT" based quality to them. Despite the sludgy heaviness of the song, Grand Atomic does offer moments of melody along the way. The overall tone of the album is dark with the extended grooves being more atmospheric than you initially realise.
Second song Space Train offers a more Blues Rock based sound with a killer guitar track slowly weaving its way through the distorted or LOW & SLOW madness that powers the almighty FUZZ and WEEDIAN flavours the song ultimately contains. Small echoes of Space Rock and Ambient Noises have a more slow building feeling with Grand Atomic focusing primarily on the main Distorted Stoner Metal jams. The song does take a few moments to slow things right down and that's where Grand Atomic changes into a heavier style of music. Vocals do appear for this track sparingly with the band focusing upon sublime Psychedelic Spaced Out Instrumental Jams. However, the chorus offers the album a more thrilling creative narrative.
Third song Nibiru opts for a Droned Out appearance with Sludgy glitches allowing Grand Atomic to bring levels of SLEEP and Electric Wizard levels of Amplifier Distortion. The song does take time to fully find it's groove but once Grand Atomic played a more slow-paced and multi-layered sound with the track venturing into the darker areas of Psychedelic based Ambient Stoner/Sludge Metal.
Fourth song Descending feels more like a song inspired from underground legends BEASTWARS and SLOMATICS with their use of longer progressive themes which branch off into classic areas of Desert/Stoner Metal. The song also has an "Explorer" feel to the track with the long drawn out jams and echoes of Distorted Psychedelics and Ambient rhythms settling down into a more standard song. The excellent vocals add a much needed narrative to the album with great lyrics to allow the listener to become part of the album. The song is quite slow-paced with it's "Post-Doom" or "Post-Stoner" trajectory Grand Atomic use to deliver their style of music. However, things become heavier much later on for some of the finest sounds contained on the album.
The final two tracks of Drifter and King Of Hesh offer twenty minutes of more finely tuned Spaced Out and WEEDIAN based madness. Grand Atomic uses more Droned Out Effects and Guitar Reverb Passages for the heaviest parts of the album. King Of Hesh is the standout track here with Grand Atomic offering almost thirteen minutes to punish your hearing and senses with.
Beyond The Realm Of Common Sense is an absolute gem and monster of an album for Grand Atomic to make themselves known with. Full of intense grooves and with a first rate WEEDIAN and SPACED OUT sound, Grand Atomic don't FUCK ABOUT with this release.
Be prepared to be blown away with this release. This is a must have album. Check out now.
Words by Steve Howe
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