Release Date: June 06th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
I - Tracklisting
1.Reign of the Wicked 04:28
2.What's with the Rush? 04:58
3.Dead Eyes 03:48
4.Mass Delusion 05:07
5.Rot Alone 05:03
6.The Messages 11:58
Members
Dafiq Achmad - Bass, Vocals
Paskahline Putra - Drums
Nabiel Habibie - Vocals, Guitar
Review
Indonesian Doom/Stoner Metallers Gutward debut album is a great mix of Doom, Stoner Metal, Psych and Space Rock that’s filled with fractured Amplified textures that brings a groovy sound influenced by the likes of Electric Wizard, Black Sabbath, Slomatics and Monolord. The record has a stripped back sound within the recording process and production values that allows Gutward to play a distorted Cosmic sound. Gutward has that dominant Power Trio energy which allows each member to play their part in demonstrating a down tuned melodic energy that’s packed with violent delivery coming from the speakers.
The album runs for around thirty six minutes across six tracks with Gutward showcasing a delicious LOW & SLOW theme throughout the whole record with great vocals coming from Nabiel Habibie and Dafiq Achmad providing excellent support. Though, it’s the music that’s the real “STAR” or “MAIN ATTRACTION” here with Gutward adding a sludgy sideline of Psychedelic Fuzz Rock sound that has a hidden Atmospheric depth that can be quite destructive the best of times on tracks such as Reign Of The Wicked, What’s With The Rush, Dead Eyes and The Messages.
There is some great riff-centric build up here with Gutward edging more closely to the likes of Black Sabbath and Monster Magnet on the heaviest parts of the record. The level of SONIC interplay contained on this record has a classic Nineties Grunge and Stoner Metal energy which is brought bang up-to-date with thrilling modern day psychedelic soundscapes but with Gutward keeping with that classic down-tuned delivery that can be quite long drawn out at times.
Though, most of the grooviest and impressive instrumental beats come from when Gutward rely firmly on Seventies Hard Rock musical worship which shows prominently on the later stages of the record. There’s a hidden backline of Proto-Metal and Classic Doom appearing which is perhaps used as an afterthought at times but this gives the album an unpredictable energy which Gutward use to their full advantage.
Gutward have delivered a debut album that shows how they’re a band with real potential to last the course and gain a cult following within the scene. If you like your Doom/Stoner Metal music with the classic LOW & SLOW approach the “I” is a record you need to play on the BIGGEST, LOUDEST and most AGGRESSIVE speakers you can lay your hands on and just let yourselves FLY!!!
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
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