Release Date: August 09th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Aquanaut: Tracklisting
1.Lenéa 03:23
2.Morality 06:44
3.Come With Me 04:58
4.Gamma Rays 02:58
5.Soulless 04:31
6.Ivory 06:03
7.Living Memories 06:49
Members
Emil Westén Aune - Bass
Brage Størmer Vinje - Drums
Sebastian Gerhardt - Guitars
Håkon Hauge - Guitars
Marcelius Christensen Prestegård - Vocals
Review
Doom/Stoner Metallers Aquanaut self-titled debut album sees the band focus upon a raw style of Doom/Stoner Metal that bounces between different levels of Psych Rock, Space Rock and Classic Rock with epic flourishes of Sludgy heaviness. The whole album does have a certain Garage Rock swagger that matches the early energy of SLEEP and HIGH ON FIRE in certain ways but Aquanaut stays on their own creative journey within the Stoner Rock COSMOS which should also appeal to fans of NEBULA, Monster Magnet and FU MANCHU. As Aquanaut really impress the most with their sublime use of Space Rock themes with a sludgy undercurrent leading the way.
The vocals from Marcellus Christensen Prestegård are passionate enough with a Punk Rock dynamic that allows the record to be directly from the underground scene. This can be quite a rough sounding album but this allows Aquanaut to construct aggressive Psych Doom/Stoner Metal passages that ventures into familiar sounds and influences with a certain SABBATHIAN down-tuned energy that resonates into some first rate instrumental moments and KICK-ASS guitar solos along the way.
Whilst not breaking new ground, Aquanaut demonstrates quite a flair for harsh and abrasive Spaced Out grooves that becomes quite violent thanks to the great use of distorted sounds and fuzzed up Amplifier Feedback that resonates within the fabulous guitars and subtle bass. The album packs quite a punch especially when Aquanaut let fly with distinctive Psychedelic/Cosmic songs such as: Lenéa, Mortality, Come With Me, Ivory and Living Memories.
Aquanaut do change their style on the later stages of the record but keep with that rough and ready approach within the production side of things. However, the music is always superbly interesting and quite stylish with how Aquanaut delves into the Cosmic side of their creative journey.
This is spectacular entertainment from a band who deserve to gain some attention within the underground Doom/Stoner Metal scene. As they may have a bright future indeed if they keep releasing great records such as this.
Words by Steve Howe
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