Release Date: 26th January 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Embers - Tracklisting
1.Lungburner 08:34
2.The Rift 10:48
3.Embers 09:34
4.Sativa 10:08
Members
Jens Anderberg - Vox/Guitar/Samples
Matt Rayborn - Bass
Dylan Mincey - Percussion
Review
Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers Lungburner debut album Embers offers quite a variety of LOW & SLOW, WEEDIAN, Down Tuned and Amplifier based riff worship with extra forays into areas of Cosmic Rock which builds up for quite a catchy and downright aggressive slice of underground metal. Channelling the gap between DOWN, Mastodon, High On Fire and SLEEP for an album that’s quite bleak with the band’s creative thoughts played out within the excellent four tracks that make up Embers.
Lungburner concentrates on playing heavy distorted grooves first and adding classic Sludge based chants and growls for the vocals. The vocals are perhaps rooted in NOLA/Southern Metal with the instrumental sounds focusing upon playing some wicked Psychedelic/Spaced Out rhythms within the stunning opening track Lungburner. The atmosphere can only be described as ELECTRIC with flashes of Heavy Progressive Stoner grooves with Lungburner employing a solid DISTORTED and LOW & SLOW atmosphere to the overall production of the album.
Embers has a sublime use of various samples throughout the album which comes mostly into focus from the excellent second track The Rift. That track showcases a fine style of Blues Rock/Metal whilst allowing Lungburner to show some impressive High On Fire inspired Riff Worship whilst playing their own blend of Psychedelic and Fuzzed Up sounds that make a lasting impression.
The second half of the album and the final two tracks Embers and Sativa see Lungburner become quite philosophical as these some fantastic choice of samples and vocal speeches that explores themes such as Humanity, Existence and individual mortality whilst powered through a ton of HEAVY PSYCHEDELIC based jams which remain within the crux of the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal underground scene.
Embers sounds superb and that’s down to the album being mixed and mastered by Matthew Washburn at his famed Ledbelly Sound Studios. Matthew has worked with bands such as Black Pyramid, Atheist, EMBR, Dayglo Mourning and some band called Mastodon very early in their career. The album does have an aggressive presence with the music being played more directly with a raw polished sound which has a whole different flow within the heaviest parts of the album.
Embers is a stunning debut release which I’m hoping Lungburner becomes more well known within the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. As this album is a startling collection of superb sounds that leave you wanting to hear more. Awesome. End Of.
Words by Steve Howe
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