Release Date: July 26th 2024. Record Label: Kozmik Artifactz / Evil Noise Recordings. Formats: Cassette/DD/Vinyl
Before I Burn: Tracklisting
1. Doom Jive
2. Cyanide Fever
3. Before I Burn
4. Zimbardo
5. Princess of the Peaks
6. Cult of Misanthropy
7. Apocalypse Babes
8. I Will Guide Your Hand
Members
Ulrik H.J. - guitar, keys, vocals
Stian S. - bass
Lasse R. - drums
Review
Magmakammer have been in the scene for some years now and have impressed us every step of the way. I've been a fan since hearing 2018's 'Mindtripper'. Though that album was a little more low-fi and raw in production, all of the talent, potential, and seeds of doom were already being sown. Their EP 'Blood Diamond' saw the furthering of their sound, production, and songwriting abilities with three more tracks of murder and lurking madness.
Fast forward to now, we finally have Magmakammer's new album 'Before I Burn'. The madness and impending doom are forever present though sometimes shrouded behind the deceptive quirks and upbeat rhythms of the album. They've been compared to Uncle Acid and rightfully so but Magmakammer are full of their own surprises, their own uniqueness, their own brand of psychedelic garage stoner doom.
The opening track 'Doom Jive' is the perfect example of Magmakammer doing things their own way with an eccentric, upbeat, and with an evil carnival-like feel to the song. The song feels like the world we live in, everyone goes about their day turning a blind eye, it's all fun and games until it's your time to die. 'Cyanide Fever's is one of the two singles that was released last year and is a slow tempo, thick doomy track that utilizes organs and haunting vocals to highlight the terror of the sacrificial ritual taking place in the lyrics of the song.
There are moments of gloom and doom but also catchy up-tempo stoner-doom rock songs such as 'Apocalypse Babes', the Sabbath worship of 'Zimbardo', to more psychedelic melodies like 'Cult of Misanthropy' (with some bluesy guitar thrown in for good measure), and the lightly sung sorrowful closer 'Will Guide Your Hand'. All of these styles are locked within Magmakammer's wheelhouse and showcase their abilities to easily turn direction, as well as their pursuit of growth and evolution. While the world is burning all around them they burst out of the inferno with 'Before I Burn'.
As per usual the band take a full hands on approach, immersing themselves fully into their craft including the artwork, (I absolutely love the cover art) writing, recording, as well as mixing, only handing the reins over to Tony Reed for final mastering. It's a passion and a labor of love for Magmakammer and I can't wait to spin my liquid-filled variant when it arrives, well done gentleman!
Words Jon McGough
Thanks to Kozmik Artifactz for the promo.
Before I Burn will be available to buy from the links below on Friday 26th July 2024.
Evil Noise Recordings Cassette
Links
