Release Date: August 22nd 2025. Record Label: Season Of Mist Records. Formats: CD.DD/Vinyl
The Turning - Tracklisting
1.Chasm
2.In the Heat of the Dying Sun
3.The Traveler
4.The Cloth
5.Dig My Heels
6.Unwound
7.Long Lost Light
8.The Turning
Members
Recording Line-Up:
-Scott Middleton
-Jesse Van Note
-Ray Worth
-Zeb Wright
-Jed Willis
Guest Musicians:
-Clay White - trumpet
-Franklin Keel - cello
-Alex Taub - piano, Hammond b3
Review
The Turning is the eagerly awaited fourth album from Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers BASK which sees the band return after a six year absence with new material. This has been well worth the wait with BASK generating their own style of Progressive leaning Stoner Rock sound that sees their trademark use of Country, Americana, Space Rock and Blues Rock based harmonies being given a heavier Sludge Rock/Metal makeover influenced by the likes of MASTODON and BARONESS.
There’s also a chilling sense of Post-Doom and Post-Metal melodies that develops within the more abrasive and violent sounds that sees BASK venture out for the very first time in some places. Though, the classic early Americana themes that made BASK such a force to be reckoned with are never too far behind. Throw in a subtle mix of Prog Rock, Folk Rock and Cosmic Rock grooves which allows The Turning to be very hard to categorize and define at times.
This is also one of the albums and possibly BASK’s greatest strengths as you’re not sure what to expect with each passing song. Did you ever wonder what Heavy Spaced Out Doom would sound like when merged with Country, Southern Rock and Americana passages. Well, the answer is perfectly captured here on superbly constructed and brilliantly played tracks such as In The Heat Of The Dying Sun, The Traveler, Dig My Heels and Unwound being some of the best material that BASK have written to date.
Their music is constantly evolving but still showing a thrilling and adventurous creative attitude with BASK not afraid to add even more elements of music such as Post-Rock, Ambient Melodies and Shoegaze which is brought to life with their epic use of different instruments throughout the album. The record can be quite ROOTS based with the “TWANGY” instrumental movements but it’s kept within the areas of Sludge/Stoner Metal with BASK never afraid to experiment at the most crucial moment which transfers this record into MONOLITHIC and INTERDIMENSIONAL SPACE GOAT territory.
With a range of diverse influences such as Mastodon, Baroness, Elder, Hawkwind, All Them Witches and King Buffalo with BASK even forging and creating their unique style of Heavy Psychedelic music of the highest order. What also makes them stand out is how the band brings a classic EVERYMAN level of storytelling into their cinematic adventure. The lyrics are quite hopeful and brilliantly insightful even when the music takes a daring and apocalyptic turn.
The Turning is an emotionally charged record of the highest order with BASK firmly establishing themselves as one of the most unique and original voices within the modern day Psych Stoner Rock/Metal scene. This is a record of REAL QUALITY and can easily be considered one of the best Psychedelic Rock albums of the year.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Season Of Mist for the promo.
The Turning is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Season Of Mist.
Links
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bask/209266263
Bandcamp: https://basknc.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/basknc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baskband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebandbask
