Release Date: November 01st 2024. Record Label: Golden Robot (digital) / Kozmik Artifactz (vinyl). Format: DD/Vinyl
Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) - Track Listing:
1.Mercury Pull
2.Joy Of Navigation
3.Heavy Sunshine
4.The Golden Age
5.Spacebaby
Members
Patrick Brink - Guitars/Vocals
Ed Mundell (Monster Magnet) - Lead Guitar
Mike Amster (Nebula, Spoon Benders)- Drums
Abraham Parker - Bass/ Acoustic / Electric Sitar / Rhodes / Piano / Synth /Backing Vocals
David Catching - Synth, Moog
Review
Stoner Metallers VOLUME return with their new mini-album Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) which features around thirty minutes of classic Spaced Out Stoner Metal with a vintage Punk Rock vibe throughout the whole album. This is a supergroup of sorts on this record alone with appearances from Ed Mundell (Monster Magnet), Mike Amster (Nebula), Abraham Parker and David Catching lending their creative talents to VOLUME head-honcho - Patrick Brink.
VOLUME were one of the unsung Stoner Rock/Metal bands within the late 90’s until they originally split back in 2004. The band have reformed with VOLUME re-releasing their seminal record Requesting Permission To Land back in October 2023 to critical acclaim. So I’m pleased to say Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) is another classic record for the band with VOLUME bringing the nostalgic vibe in a big way that screams 1990’s Stoner Metal attitude throughout the whole album.
This feels like the twisted and bolder offspring of NEBULA, Monster Magnet and FU MANCHU but with a more Out There and Spaced Out Spirit which comes into life with the standout track Mercury Pull.
The song lasts around nine minutes with VOLUME blending Middle Eastern sounds and LSD influenced lyrics that perhaps owes a nod of gratitude to Dave Wyndorf in places but Patrick Brink builds his own blend of tantric mantra with a subtle style of 1960’s philosophy before the aggressive Stoner Metal passages appear. Catchy SPACE ROCK sounds and Ambient rhythms allows VOLUME to create their own highly anthemic blend of raw-sounding grooves that shines a light to the classic era of STONER METAL.
The album then leaves the progressive sounds of the opening track behind and aims for a Punk Rock vibe with frantic Garage Rock obsessive STONER based sounds allowing the record to be more rebellious with each passing moment especially on tracks such as Joy Of Navigation, The Golden Age and Spacebaby.
The record feels more powerful when VOLUME adds a Speed Rock element to their music and sludgy guitars within Joy Of Navigation and Heavy Sunshine. If Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) was released back in the 1990’s then it would easily be considered one of the landmark records of the Stoner Rock/Metal era. This allows VOLUME to create an album with an essential timeless quality which should appeal to a wide section of the Stoner Rock/Metal community.
The lyrics are wonderfully subversive and quite playful with VOLUME living up to the true ROCK & ROLL lifestyle in so many ways within the short running time of the whole album. This is a record I’ve completely fallen in love with from the very first listen as it takes you back to the golden age of Stoner Rock/Metal whilst still having something original to say as well.
Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) is one of the must have records to own right now and one that can easily speak for any generation of the Stoner Rock scene. And with this being called a “Mini Album” then I’m hoping VOLUME has new music in the near future.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to US/THEM PR for the promo.
Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) will be available to buy via the following records and formats listed below:
Golden Robot (digital) / Kozmik Artifactz (vinyl)
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
