Release Date: July 05th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Minus Mountain - Tracklisting
1.Grim 05:17
2.Gigantic Alien Mega Structures 04:35
3.Heal Machine 07:30
4.Exoplanet 05:35
5.Mother 03:30
6.Toxic Ground 06:27
7.Flesh 03:59
8.Minus Mountain 08:55
Members
Robert Heiduk – Vocals
Felix Buck – Guitar
Max Beckmann – Guitar / Vocals
Gerrit Böttcher – Bass Guitar / Vocals
Ingo Festag – Drums
Review
Progressive Stoner Metallers Minus Mountain debut album is one that focuses heavily on the “PROGRESSIVE” of their album which allows them to bring other areas of Hard Rock and Metal into the mix. As the band fuse elements of CLASSIC ROCK, NWOBHM, THRASH and DOOM for a sound that is both original and quite familiar at the same time. The band take influence from the likes of Mastodon, Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy, Metallica, Black Sabbath and QUEEN. You feel these influences shining through the opening tracks of Grim, Gigantic Alien Mega Structures and Heal Machine.
The music is quite choppy and fast-paced with Minus Mountain never stopping for breath at times. Robert Heiduk’s vocals feel inspired by Freddie Mercury and Claudio Sanchez at times which is an intriguing proposition especially when paired against the Progressive Stoner Metal grooves that the band primarily play. There is a subtle Spaced Out and Cosmic theme within the lyrics and creative outline for the album which gives the record a slightly OTT feel. However, the music still retains a sense of grounded realism with the DIY production values contained within the album.
One of the standout parts of the record is the different use of vocals that come into play throughout the album as Minus Mountain have three different members (Robert Heiduk, Max Beckmann and Gerrit Böttcher) who provide vocals and with guest contributions from Alex Borsti & Johannes Jockisch. Minus Mountain have fully tapped into the Progressive Metal side of things for the vocal arrangements which are quite refreshing and highly original.
The other songs on the record does allow Minus Mountain to develop intriguing concepts and different musical delivery with flashes of Psych Rock emerging on tracks such as Heal Machine, Exoplanet, Toxic Ground and Minus Mountain. These are my favourite tracks on the album with Minus Mountain going way OVER THE TOP once more but they do this with great style and play some wonderfully aggressive and outlandish grooves on these tracks alone.
Minus Mountain have created an album that has BIG, BOLD and BRASH ideas that are fully fleshed out and delivered superbly on a grand scale. If you want a Stoner Metal album with a truly cinematic feel and isn’t afraid to be quite outrageous then Minus Mountain is the album for you. This is an excellent debut album that showcases another great band to check out from the German Stoner Metal underground scene.
Words by Steve Howe
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
