Release Date: April 12th 2024. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Azimuth - Tracklisting
1.Dead Silence
2.Azimuth
3.Liminal Space
4.Empyrean
5.Vortex
6.Universe 25
7.Space Drift
8.Ghosts of the Lupatia
9.Goddess of Winter
Members
Deven Andersen - Guitar / Vocals
Darren Wostenberg - Bass
Joe Coitus - Drums
Review
Psych Stoner Rockers Elk Witch return with their new album Azimuth and the band bring a more mature Storytelling aspect to their music compared to their debut album. Taking similar steps to bands such as The Sword, King Buffalo and Howling Giant, the band add moments of 70’s Classic Doom and 90’s Stoner Metal which is quite fuzz based and even contemporary within the early stages of the album.
The opening track Dead Silence is a Psychedelic odyssey with Elk Witch blending catchy progressive grooves with distinctive vocals that have a cool layer of distortion to them. The music is quite raw-sounding with a thrilling Garage Rock sound with sublime DIY production values allowing Elk Witch to be quite aggressive with their music whilst allowing the song to be quite catchy and riff-centric throughout.
Second track Azimuth takes a more Psychedelic Doomed vision with a fuzzed up attitude which gives way to classic Prog Rock melodies which can be more Sludge Rock focused. Shades of Mastodon can be heard within this track but with that classic Doom/Stoner Rock methodology being played with the more outlandish Psychedelic grooves of the track. This allows the title track to also become one of the standout tracks on the album with Elk Witch playing fine amounts of WEEDIAN inspired Rock & Roll which showcases their impressive musical talents within the superbly played instrumental solos that take centre stage on the later stages of the track.
The next two tracks Liminal Space and Empyrean sees Elk Witch becoming more confident with their new found Heavy Psych Stoner Rock sound with flashes of Post-Rock textures appearing within Liminal Space which is a refreshing change of pace from the band. It’s back to business as usual with Empyrean delving back into the catchy and aggressive Doomed Out atmosphere which sees Elk Witch play a ferocious sound that’s a mighty throwback to the days of 80’s Heavy Metal and 90’s Stoner Metal. The DIY approach of the album allows Elk Witch to play multiple styles of Heavy Rock which remain grounded and real.
Fifth track Vortex is another slight detour into Post-Rock or Post-Stoner surroundings for the first few moments of the track before Elk Witch expand into their more dominant Doom/Stoner Metal creative selves. The song has a simple premise with a killer bass line from Darren allowing Devin and Joe to build a threatening style of Progressive Metal on guitars and drums respectively. This is another cool and different side to Elk Witch.
Elk Witch seem to be more Hard Rock and Heavy Metal obsessed on the final stages of the album with that vintage Doomed Out sound becoming quite THRASH based especially on tracks such as Universe 25, Space Drift and Goddess Of Winter. Fans of early era The Sword and Lowrider will dig this part of the album the most. Heavy pummelling DOOM METAL grooves align themselves to a more dominant Psych Stoned Out flavour with Deven’s vocals being impressive as ever. The seedy FUZZ ROCK attitude allows Elk Witch to play the album's standout instrumental jams once again that ends Azimuth on an almighty high.
Azimuth is a brooding and intense Psychedelic experience with Elk Witch releasing an album that will gain them a whole new legion of followers within the Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene. Plus they have the power of ace underground label Majestic Mountain Records behind them who are releasing this great album. The label hasn't put out a bad release yet and Azimuth is no different. With this record sounding powerfully epic, loud and aggressive from start to finish.
This is a first rate album that will no doubt end up on multiple Album Of The Year lists before the year is out. Awesome. End of.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Sheltered Life PR for the promo.
Azimuth will be available to buy from Friday April 12th 2024 on CD/DD/Vinyl via Majestic Mountain Records.
Links
Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
