Release Date: February 28th 2025. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl
KODOK - Track Listing:
1.Painted Lady
2.La Bruja (Cygnus)
3.El Brujo (Cygnus II)
4.Sharpen The Knife - featuring Grady Avenell
5.CHVRCH
6.Don't Say Goodbye - featuring Ricky Warwick
7.AFG - featuring Ace Skunk Anansie & fattybassman
8.AFG-mNSTR dARKMODE Vs The Grey
Members
Steve Moore - Drums
Charlie Gration - Guitars
Andy Price - Bass
Review
KODOK is the third full length album from UK Post-Metal crew The Grey that features a wider array of different progressive musical structures with the extra level of heavy Post-Rock themes. The Ambient grooves are powerfully aware with a modern day sense of heaviness that evokes memories of the classic times of Post-Metal with nods to bands such as Neurosis, Pelican and ISIS in their creative prime. There is a STONERIZED element to The Grey’s music which comes across the more vulnerable and Post-Rock parts of the record which has a close resemblance to Karma To Burn at times.
For the most part, The Grey are masterfully transforming into creative linchpins of the UK Post-Metal scene with KODOK which comes across amazingly through the exquisite opening tracks of Painted Lady, La Bruja (Cygnus) and El Brujo (Cygnus II). The music is mostly delivered by melodic, aggressive, muscular and psychedelic grooves which can be bleak and superbly uplifting at the same time. The Grey have done their homework with this record especially with the multiple different styles of Prog Rock and Post-Rock that ultimately power this album throughout.
The added use of gloomy synths and other electronic sounds is just expertly delivered with the thuggish instruments being played by The Grey adding a level of masterful interaction between the band and the listener for the more experimental parts of the record. KODOK allows The Grey to work with musicians outside the Post-Metal field such as Grady Avenell (Will Haven), Ace from SKUNK ANANSIE and Hard Rock Legend Ricky Warwick all making electric appearances on the tracks they appear on.
Sharpen The Knife - featuring Grady Avenell and Don't Say Goodbye - featuring Ricky Warwick being two of my favourite songs on KODOK. As they’re both quite different to each other. Sharpen The Knife is more Sludge/Crust/Doom Metal focused which offers the heaviest and meanest grooves on the album whilst Don’t Say Goodbye is a sombre and Post-Rock number which acts as a break of calmness before the chaotic aggression returns.
KODOK is quite a difficult album to listen to with the multiple guest appearances who appear on the album but it’s one that’s brilliantly bold, highly original and with some unique musical passages being delivered by everyone involved. It may take a few attempts for certain parts of the Post-Metal community to get behind the whole experience of the album but once you’re on board you begin to savour the more experimental and heaviest parts of the record.
Overall, The Grey have created an exceptional Post-Metal album with KODOK and perhaps unlocked the door where they can achieve bigger and better things within the whole underground Rock/Metal scene.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.
KODOK will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Majestic Mountain Records from Friday 28th February 2025.
Links
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