Release Date: October 04th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Format: Digital Download
Under The Glow - Track Listing:
1.The World Fades Away
2.In More Ways Than One
3.Walk On By
4.Make It Make Sense
5.Living A Lie
6.Last Time
Review
Doom/Stoner Rockers SIXYEARHEX debut EP Under The Glow was originally released earlier this year which totally passed me by. However, the EP is being re-released with new artwork and an extra song (Make It More Sense) compared to the original release. This hard-rocking duo take influence from bands such as TORCHE, RED FANG, QOTSA and The Sword with the band having a slightly melodic style with a cool sounding social awareness to their lyrics.
The EP lasts around twenty six minutes with SIXYEARHEX operating with a heavy DOOM ROCK atmosphere with a sound that floats between Alt Metal and Stoner Rock melodies when you can hear where the influences of TORCHE and QOTSA comes into focus. The opening tracks of The World Fades Away and In More Ways Than One have a raucous sludgy vibe which transforms into a Punk Rock and Garage Rock delivery.
In More Ways Than One has a Shoegaze drive reminiscent of HUM with the stripped back production values allowing SIXYEARHEX to performing a song that’s very much of the 90’s Alt-Rock world and today’s Doom/Stoner Rock sound that is quite flashy with the heavy psychedelic and jagged guitars. The vocals have an offbeat Indie Rock vibe that was all the range back in the day but lead vocalist Rob Broyhill’s delivery has an aggressive street level attitude which is quite easy to listen to and wholly agree with.
Third track Walk On By is a mixture of classic DOOM-POP (FLOOR and TORCHE style) grooves with a Grunge aesthetic giving the track a whole murky and sludgier down-tuned swagger. The song is further enhanced by a creative drive perhaps influenced by THE PIXIES in places appearing within the lyrics. Though, the music is powered through Psych Sludgy instrumental movements that are some of the heaviest parts of the EP.
Fourth song Make It Make Sense is the new track that was missing from the EP’s original recording. I’ve heard both versions of Under The Groove and this song allows them to have a more complete message with SIXYEARHEX delivering highly charged anthemic hooks and socially aware lyrics. This is a track that has BRAINS as well as BRAWN. The vocals have a certain Punk Rock offensive with the music being bound by the creative rules of Doom/Stoner Metal whilst delivering into other areas of KICK-ASS modern day Rock and Roll.
The final two tracks of Living A Lie and Last Time allows SIXYEARHEX to create a heavier and progressive style of music that is perhaps Sludge focused with small moments of Psychedelic distortion and seedier Grunge attitude. Living A Lie is one of the standout tracks on the EP with SIXYEARHEX playing with a more destructive energy played within the musical surroundings of the whole record.
Under The Glow is a highly impressive release with SIXYEARHEX offering an EP that’s quite bold and refreshing with its different style of melodies that will appeal to a wide section of the Doom/Stoner Rock community. I’m looking forward to hearing more from SIXYEARHEX in the near future and they can easily help fill the void left behind by bands such as TORCHE and FLOOR.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Desert Bloom PR for the promo.
Under The Glow will be available to buy on Digital Download from October 31st 2024.
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