Release Date: March 28th 2025. Record Label: Raging Planet Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Desert’Smoke - Tracklisting
Fuzzy Txitxu - 7:54
Gravity Absence - 9:00
Blind Watcher - 11:42
49th Steam Box - 6:47
Members:
André Pedroso Rocha
Cláudio Aurélio
João Nogueira
João Romão
Review
Instrumental Psych/Stoner Alchemists Desert'Smoke are back with their third full length record which sees the band hit the ground running playing a heavy assortment of cosmic sounds which has a deeply philosophical and progressive energy compared to their previous records. The record can be quite trippy with Middle Eastern vibes appearing with a subtle Doom & Gloom energy bridging the gap between Post-Rock and Doom Metal heaviness which the band expertly build upon throughout the four tracks that make the album.
Opening track Fuzzy Txitxu explores music inspired by the likes of Monkey3, ELDER and Karma To Burn in places but takes to a progressive background with flashes of eerie Space Rock that levels the creative playing fields for a heavier style of music to appear. The sound can be cautious at times with Desert'Smoke testing the waters of merging a quieter style of music that isn’t as moody as the heavier counterparts. However, the band are quite adept at playing a more forceful and aggressive style of music that leads into some intense melodic grooves with a slight abstract flow appearing.
Second track Gravity Absence sees the band offer a dreamlike state of Space Rock, Prog and Stoner Rock with a surreal Jazz Rock narrative which slowly builds into heavier areas of Psychedelic and Progressive movements. Desert’Smoke weave Ambient sounds and Cosmic beats before unleashing a backdrop of Atmospheric Sludge surroundings into the mix. The screeching guitars are an unexpected delight with the record being quite DOOM obsessive than you initially expect or fully realize until the closing seconds of the song.
The final two tracks of Blind Watcher and 49th Steam Box majorly transforms into a destructive and despairing style of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal with the instrumental passages being played and drowned out by longer notes but with a rich sense of melody appearing within the quieter moments of the song. Third track Blind Watcher is the standout track for me personally. As Desert’Smoke start to create their original style of music and explore different areas of Cinematic Rock which has moments of Classic Hard Rock appearing that oozes 1970’s reflection and attitude.
This record is not your most straightforward Instrumental Doom/Stoner Rock album with Desert’Smoke allowing themselves to explore the lower depths of the Classic Rock and Prog Metal abyss with a mighty STONER METAL flourish appearing at the right time to demonstrate a highly rewarding style of music that offers BRAINS and BRAWN in equal measure.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.
Desert’Smoke will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Raging Planet Records from Friday 28th March 2025.
Links
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