Release Date: August 11th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD
The Macabre: Tracklisting
Jaded Bored Wasted And Sick
Headhunter
Macabre Times
Vampire
Witch Is The Whip
Angel Of Death
HGWK
Horns Out
Celise
Pyre
Members
Nick Gray - Drums
Owen Finley - Bass
Sean Malkasian - Guitar, Baritone Guitar, Piano, Mandolin and Vocals
Review:
The Macabre is the new album from Blues/Fuzz/Psych/Stoner Rockers Malkasian who plays a more subdued, bleak and gloomy style of music which has a slight AMERICANA sound that is perhaps rooted from the 1990's scene. The album does offer a few trippy heavy acoustic jams and grooves along the Alternative Rock journey that Malkasian aims for on this release. Vocals are mostly of the Blues Rock/Stoner variety with an Outlaw quality to them which comes shining through superbly well on the opening tracks of Jaded Bored Wasted And Sick, Headhunter and Macabre Times.
The whole feel and sound of the album is quite solitary with stunning DIY based production values but that doesn't stop Malkasian playing heavy fuzzed out grooves with a cool sideline in Doom Rock pastures with a slight nihilistic edge appearing within the lyrics at certain times. The SCUZZY and SEEDY creative flow of the album continues to impress throughout with Malkasin even embracing the RAWK'N'ROLL aspect of their music. You'll be surprised by the high amount of classic sounding guitars that veers through the Semi-Acoustic and Electric styles like there was no tomorrow.
If you admire the sounds of early-era QOTSA, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Jack White, Across Tundras and even some heroes of the Classic Hard Rock scene then Malkasian will impress with their world-weary and first rate creative vision explodes into life with epic styles of the Blues Rock/Stoner Rock genre. Other great tracks to check out are: Vampire, Witch Is The WHip, HGWK, Horns Out and Pyre. There are some moments of heavy FUZZED UP DISTORTION which I've never heard played this well especially with the Blues Rock aspect that Malkasian uses predominantly on this album.
The Macabre is a refreshing change of pace for the Blues Rock scene with Malkasian taking huge creative risks especially with the more sombre and gloomier aspects of the album which become more prevalent on the later stages of the album. This is a well produced and superbly adventurous album that's packed with a rebellious spirit that ventures bravely on the OUTLAW way of Blues/Stoner Rock that will keep you entertained for a long time to come.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
Links:
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