Saturday 13 January 2024

GOZD - Unilateralis (EP Review)

Release Date: 10th January 2024. Record Label: Self Released: Formats: CD/DD

Unilateralis - Tracklisting

1.Somewhere in Between 08:45

2.Rotten Humanity 04:27

3.Thanatophobia 06:50

4.Tentative Minds 04:13


Review


Unilateralis is the new EP from Polish Psych/Doom/Stoner Metallers GOZD and is my first experience with the band. There’s a slight apprehensive approach with GOZD style of music that is quite slow-paced at first with the band merging Alt Metal themes to their Psychedelic Doom/Stoner based style. When everything is joined together then GOZD becomes a different creative entity altogether with COSMIC and SLUDGE grooves allowing the EP to become quite similar to fellow Polish Doom/Stoner Metallers SPACESLUG within the epic opening track Somewhere In Between.


Second song Rotten Humanity takes a more aggressive turn with GOZD playing a snarling blend of Doom Metal with a filthy PUNK ROCK sound with even the vocals becoming quite different. The sound retains a certain Psychedelic and Cosmic quality though the whole flow is more outlandish compared to the opening track. The song does have a mellow Post-Doom or Post-Stoner flow within the middle of the track before GOZD return to their heavy ways. The production values are very raw sounding which allows the EP to become even more destructive.


Third song Thanatophobia is similar to the opening track with GOZD switching creative allegiances yet again with its murky and all conquering Sludge Rock/Metal style. There’s a heavy industrial rock narrative lurking in the background for another deceptive slice of storytelling from the band that leaves you wanting to hear more.


The final song Tentative Minds is more GLOOM and DOOM orientated with the vocals and chants appearing within the early stages of the track. The music becomes ever more dominant with strands of Psych Rock and Cosmic energy which then fully transforms into wicked long drawn out sludgy instrumental jams.


Unilateralis is a superbly entertaining EP from GOZD which allows them to deliver their own blend of intense modern Doom/Stoner Metal and showcase another great band to check out from the famed Polish Doom/Stoner Metal scene.


Excellent and Highly Recommended.


Words by Steve Howe 


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