Release Date: December 06th 2024. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl
Red Sky Warning - Track Listing:
1.KENTUCKY BUDDHA 03:24
2.SEVEN SACRED POOLS 06:14
3.HEIR TO THE EARTH 04:05
4.I 80 WEST 06:03
5.UNDONE 05:12
6.DISBELIEF 03:27
7.PASS ME OVER 02:51
8.END OF EVERYTHING 05:58
Members
Joe Marshall - Bass, Vocals
Derrick Walter - Guitar
Ryan Sharkey - Drums
Review
Red Sky Warning is the debut album from Megaton Communion who are fully committed to the classic wave of 1990’s of Desert/Stoner Rock within this highly engaging and superbly entertaining record. The band aligns itself with the Southern Rock movement along the way with Megaton Communion flirting between Heavy Metal aggression and more commercial rock flair which is no bad thing when the grooves are constantly evolving for a higher purpose.
The opening track of Kentucky Buddha sets up the scene for a style of Stoner Rock/Metal that moves across the world of Southern Rock that has a spicy Desert Rock vibe which does allow Megaton Communion to create a softer style of music compared to the other tracks on the album but more about that later. There’s still a subtle Stoner Metal presence within the thumping bass lines and classic rock vocal tones from lead vocalist/bassist Joe Marshall. Derrick Walter on Guitars and Ryan Sharkey on Drums provide the excellent Fuzzed Up Aggressive grooves that gives their music that little bit more kick in the heavy volume department.
The sound can be quite emotionally charged which comes through the excellent second track Seven Sacred Pools before a full-on Desert Rock swagger transforms the song into a more muscular offering. Though, there's a delicate balance of Post-Stoner attitude which is quite tranquil and hazy in places with Megaton Communion becoming ever more comfortable whenever the heavier FUZZ ROCK moments appear.
Third track Heir To The Earth opts for a gloomier tone with a certain Sludge Rock sound appearing within the background. The band play extended Instrumental passages that conjure up a whirlwind of Doom Rock and Alt Metal sounds with an optimistic Psychedelic Desert Rock energy appearing that ranks as some of the best parts of the album. There’s a seedier and distorted element that allows Megaton Communion to “tap” into that winning modern day atmospheric vision that is becoming more popular within the modern day Stoner underground scene.
Fourth track I 80 West is a combination of Alt Metal progression and Sludge Rock sounds that has an intense “STOP/START” effect with elements of Blues Rock guitars and classic Desert Rock swagger appearing. The added influence of Psych Rock and Cosmic Rock reminds me of Yawning Man in places with Megaton Communion becoming focused upon delivering a heavier Progressive sound.
The second half of Red Sky Warning is perhaps more dynamic and dramatic with Megaton Communion leaning further into the Doom Rock stratosphere and developing heavier melodic grooves on tracks such as Undone, Disbelief and End Of Everything. There’s an excellent KYUSS influence being used in places but Megaton Communion have managed to create their own cool style of music with Joe Marshall’s excellent vocals being the main focal point at times.
Red Sky Warning is a highly confident and expertly produced debut album that allows Megaton Communion to develop and play their own brand of Desert Rock/Stoner Rock naturally with a raw intensity that’s very hard to ignore. The guys have delivered the goods with this album and I’m looking forward to seeing the creative journey Megaton Communion will deliver upon with future releases.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
Red Sky Warning is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Black Doomba Records.
Links
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