Release Date: April 27th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Running High - Tracklisting
1.Someone Please 05:02
2.Obsession 06:20
3.Super Mario 07:34
4.Need Some Time 05:35
5.Running Low 05:03
6.Tweaky Mind 10:27
Members
Phil - guitar, vocals
Anna - bass, vocals
Igor - drums
Christian - guitar
Review
Psych Stoner Rockers Stonerhead second album Running High sees the band play a more open and honest rendition of Stoner based music compared to their debut album. The music is quite contemporary with a raw sounding quality which allows Stonerhead to perform with moments of music outside the world of Stoner Rock/Metal appearing within the vocals and the aggressive parts of the album.
Running High can be quite Doom Rock based within the vocals and lyrics which gives Stonerhead an “OUTSIDER” quality compared to the other Stoner Rock records currently being released. They still play the usual blend of Stoner Rock sounds and extended passages but there’s something adventurous to Stonerhead’s delivery of music which shines through on Someone Please, Obsession and really comes into prominence on the outstanding third track Super Mario.
The music is a mixture of aggressive sounding Stoner Rock, Fuzz Rock, Psych Rock and Desert Rock with the trademark influences from the STONER scene being used as a spiritual inspiration and Stonerhead developing and playing their own HEAVY sound. The record can shift to a more Progressive direction before returning to a classic 90’s Desert Rock/Stoner Metal style with energetic Cosmic Rock grooves starting from Super Mario and developing on the later stages of the album.
The Psychedelic rhythm and beats remind me of Monster Magnet on the slower paced moments and some fantastic shamanic singing courtesy of Phil first heard on Super Mario. I know I keep focusing upon Super Mario but that is the track where the record changes for the better with Stonerhead fully utilising their whole creative arsenal and expanding the whole Psychedelic and Stoned out dimension for the rest of the album.
From this point on, Stonerhead brings an effortless style of superior Stoner Rock/Metal to the listener whilst exploring other areas of the WEEDIAN landscape with a rich and fabulous narrative contained within the lyrics yet again. The final batch of tracks of Need Some Time, Running Low and Running High is where Stonerhead bring a deft Alternative Rock flavour especially with the kick-ass vocals and rhythm section creating classic strands of Stoner Metal with some Progressive energy on the epic final title track.
Running High is a first rate album packed full of intense Stoner Rock/Metal melodies and extended instrumental passages with a ton of epic guitar solos throughout. Stonerhead are onto a winner here and I'm excited to hear where they go next for future releases. However, until then, Running High is a genuinely exciting and wonderfully sounding record that could even see the band align themselves to one of the famed underground record labels looking to add to their roster for a future physical release.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Broken Music and Stonerhead for the promo.
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