Release Date: August 18th 2023. Record Label: Kozmik Artifactz. Formats: DD/Vinyl
Blurring The Lines Of Reality: Tracklisting
Architects Of Chaos I
Architects Of Chaos II
Architects Of Chaos III
Loaded
The Great War
Burning The Goddess
Members
Steve - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Tim - Bass
Mario - Drums
Review:
Blurring The Lines Of Reality is the new album from Washington DC based Doom/Stoner Metal heavyweights Borracho and it's a less politically charged record compared to their 2021 album Pound Of Flesh though there are subtle hints of political themes on the album. The album is more WEEDIAN based compared to their other albums and even with a more Psychedelic sound allowing Borracho to hit similar grooves to bands such as WO FAT, Monster Magnet and FU MANCHU.
Borracho open the the album with a three part song called Architects Of Chaos I, Architects Of Chaos II and Architects Of Chaos III with the band playing their usual bombastic style of Doom/Stoner Metal with grounded levels of FUZZ ROCK though it's the Trippy Eastern sounds that impressed me the most which is brought to life on the excellent first track- Architects Of Chaos I. Borracho haven't played that style of music much but it's a more surreal style of Desert/Stoner Rock with shades of vintage 90's based Stoner/Spaced Out Psychedelics appearing more and more on tracks Architects Of Chaos II and Architects Of Chaos III. The instrumental work is excellent with the band fusing extended gloomy jams with hard hitting social commentary that comes through the kick-ass vocals throughout this part of the album.
The tone of the album does become more atmospheric with Borracho playing with a more free-flowing narrative especially on the excellent instrumental offering on the first half of Architects Of Chaos II. Borracho move further into the Post-Stoner or Post-Doom abyss with sludgy guitars having a more daring sound but it's business as usual on the second half of the track with the biting social commentary contained within the lyrics. Though, that doesn't delve away from the classic sounding guitar solos that make up this great track.
Architects Of Chaos III operates with a more Drone Rock appetite especially with the vocals being more Shaman based. However, the music is still the great style of Psychedelic and Droned out sounds that Borracho are pure masters at.
The final three songs of the album Loaded, The Great War and Burning The Goddess do become more fantastical narratively speaking but Borracho know how to whip up a crazed frenzy with epic Doom/Stoner instrumental jams yet again that defy the rules of the genre. There's a healthy destructive appetite for AMPLIFIER DISTORTION on this part of the album with The Great War and Burning The Goddess perhaps being my favourite parts of the album. There's an understated Blues Rock/Metal sound on this record which comes shining through mostly on Loaded. If you're a fan of free-flowing Space Rock and Psychedelic movements then Borracho also have you covered on that angle within The Great War with the superb vocals impressing yet again.
With richly observed production values, Borracho are ON FIRE with this release that allows Blurring The Lines Of Reality to be one of Borracho's hippest and freshest albums to date. Sounding vastly different to Pound Of Flesh with Borracho once again changing their musical style and creative direction for the better. The record oozes style from every angle with a non-stop journey of epic progressive grooves that once again cements Borracho as one of the most original and brilliantly entertaining bands within the Stoner Rock/Metal scene.
This is another AOTY contender from Borracho which they've been doing with every album that they've released. So expect nothing but the best from Borracho. And on that score, Blurring The Lines Of Reality delivers that from start to finish.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Sheltered Life PR for the promo.
BLurring The Lines Of Reality will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Kozmik Artifactz from August 18th 2023.
Links:
Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
