Saturday 13 May 2023

They Watch Us From The Moon - Cosmic Chronicles, Act I: The Ascension (Album Review)

Release Date: May 12th 2023. Record Label: New Heavy Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Cosmic Chronicles, Act I: The Ascension: Tracklisting

1.On The Fields Of The Moon 08:15

2.Space Angel 06:55

3.Mother Of All Bastards 06:24

4.Creeper AD 10:47

5.Return To Earth 10:44


Members


Lead Vocals - Luna Nemeses

Bass Guitar - ZAKKATRON the Cyborg

Lead Guitar and Vocal - R. Benjamin Black

Drums - Adryon Alin

Guitar and Vocals - The General 

Vocals - Nova 1001001


Review


Cosmic Chronicles, Act I: The Ascension is the new album from Psyched Out Doomgazers They Watch Us From The Moon (TWUFTM) and it’s a gloriously hip and sublime Psychedelic adventure with a surreal sense of STONER based weirdness to the grooves. TWUFTM employ a level of fuzziness to their style of Shoegaze, Doom, Psych, Post-Rock and Stoner sounds that draws influences from bands such as ELDER, Monster Magnet, My Bloody Valentine and Black Sabbath. 


The album contains five tracks where TWUFTM primarily use Shoegaze or Doomgaze to deliver their music with highly atmospheric and melodic vocals. The songs are highly progressive with a deep sense of musical imagination and adventure which allows TWUFTM to have a more Space Rock edge. There’s perhaps some similarities between TWUFTM and Church Of The Cosmic Skull early on within the album but those thoughts are erased for good when the excellent opening song On The Fields Of The Moon brings a thunderous and monolithic style of Doom/Stoner Metal with a lush sounding “POP” edge. 


TWUFTM lay down impressive riffs, psyched out grooves and extended jams which shows what wonderful musicians are within the TWUFTM lineup. 


The first two songs of On The Fields Of The Moon and Space Angel do have a certain Pink Floyd flavour with the lyrics and storytelling vibe of the album being slightly familiar but also downright brilliantly original. The subtle use of soundbytes gives the album a much nuanced Ambient sound with the wonderful eerie vocals.


TWUFTM are natural born storytellers on this album which comes more into focus on the next two tracks Mother Of All Bastards And Creeper AD allowing the whole story of the album to come into play and being all too real at times. The grooves are the perfect mix of ELDER style heaviness and the classic out there sounds of HAWKWIND. There’s also a slight downbeat feeling to the track which is more noticeable on Mother Of All Bastards. 


The final track Return To Earth is the standout track here with TWUFTM being more methodical with their music and bringing a Post-Rock influence to their Doomgaze sound. TWUFTM still find the time to create new areas of FUZZY heaviness to their music. The album ends where it begins with TWUFTM telling a captivating story with the powerful DOOMED OUT sounds being surreal, heavy and superbly melodic that leave you wanting to hear more.


Cosmic Chronicles, Act I: The Ascension is a masterclass of Doomed Out Stoner Metal and showcases a band that have real mainstream appeal. I wouldn’t be surprised to see They Watch Us From The Moon become part of the Mainstream Rock/Metal Scene in the near future. 


Check this great album right now…


Words by Steve Howe


Thanks to For The Lost for the promo.


Cosmic Chronicles, Act I: The Ascension is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via New Heavy Sounds.


Links


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