Arteaga - Season of the Witch Chapter One (EP Review)

Release date: February 28th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Season of the Witch Chapter One - Tracklisting

1.Brujo 08:31

2.Chacal 07:24

3.Ríos de Sangre 04:03

Members

Francisco Gonzalez
Sebastián Morales Munita
Domingo Lovera Parmo

Review

South American Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Rockers – Arteaga – return with their new EP – Season Of The Witch – Chapter One. The EP has 3 songs lasting for around 20 mins and it sees Arteaga create a heavy blend of Psychedelic Doom and Stoner Rock with roots in both Classic Doom Rock/Metal and Modern-Day Stoner Rock.

The EP does have a slight “Occult” vibe with Season Of The Witch bringing a spookier element to the band’s overall sound. Traces of Acid Rock allow the band to loosen-up and play a more “Jam-Based” style of music that I didn’t expect from Arteaga and the vocals are quite abstract when played against the music being played on this EP.

Opening song – Brujo – is the standout song with Arteaga bringing their “A” Game to the party with classic sounding grooves that are way out there and that’s down to the the Trippy and Occult atmosphere that lurks beneath the FUZZED OUT HEAVY GUITARS on the song. If you like FUZZ ROCK then Arteaga have that part covered as they play a delicate blend of 70s Proto Doom and modern sounding Fuzz/Stoner Rock that allows their music to grow at a natural pace with a heavy presence to them.

Second song – Chacal – is a more heavier and FUZZED OUT affair whilst retaining Arteaga creepy Occult Sound with a deep love and appreciation for 60s/70s Psychedelic Rock. The song is quite slow to begin with but soon gathers pace towards the end.

Third song - Ríos de Sangre – is a more subdued affair that doesn’t match the excitement of dynamic flair of the other two songs but it’s good to see Arteaga play a different style of music. This song is more of an acoustic style of music that leaves you wanting heavier riffs.

Overall, this is an exciting EP from Arteaga and I can’t wait to hear what Chapter 2 has in store for us…

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Arteaga - Vol III Necromance (Album Review)

Release date: September 23rd 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Vol III Necromance – Tracklisting

1.Espejo Roto 07:07

2.Marcela 03:43

3.Ritual Eléctrico 06:12

4.Necromance 05:47

5.Verano Rojo 07:19

6.Necrodance 10:16

Members

Francisco Gonzalez

Domingo Lovera

Sebastián Morales

Review

Arteaga return with their new album - Volume III Necromance. The band continues with their Black Sabbath inspired heavy psychedelic doom based sound. Though this album has a more solid Garage Rock approach and even has a little more experimentation especially with the fuzzier Acid Rock sounds. The album relies more on Stoner Rock thrills but this allows Arteaga to impress from the start.

The overall sound of the album has a very raw and vintage sound which is especially good for the heavier Doom parts of the album. The album becomes a heavier experience and has some top-notch classic rock flourishes hidden behind the trippy acid rock sounds.

Opening song - Espejo Roto - is a mixture of Doom, Psych, Acid Rock, Fuzz and Classic Rock riffs but one that sees Arteaga adapt a more progressive rock sound. The album can be quite cold at times but Arteaga still have a cool likeability around their music. The instrumental work is solid throughout the album and the production is handled superbly well. The vocals from Francisco feel heavily influenced by the seventies classic hard rock/heavy metal scene.

Second song - Marcela - is more of a Garage Rock/Fuzz Rock number as it has quite a rebellious streak with some heavy punk based guitars. The later stages of the song does have some familiar heavy Doom/Stoner Rock parts but primarily the band play a highly engaging Garage/Fuzz/Psych Rock sound with a touch of sinister Occult Rock lurking in.

Third song - Ritual Electro - starts off really slow and takes forever to fully get going. The first few moments are a continuous drone based riff. I was very grateful when a heavy guitar sound finally appears and Arteaga return to winning ways. The classic sounding guitars breathe genuine life into this song and the psychedelic riffs provide some of the albums heaviest moments.

The second half of the album is what impressed me the most. As Arteaga finally settle down into a confident rhythm and play a wide range of different sounds to impress the listener with. The album starts to adapt a more heavy metal approach and the music becomes more exciting as a result.

The standout songs on the album are definitely the last three songs - Necromance, Verano Rojo and Necrodance. As the overall mood of the album relies on the Doom aspect of the bands overall sound. Though the last song has a stunning progressive post-rock/metal backdrop compared to the other songs on the album.

I can't have much say on the lyrical content as the band sing in their own language. However the vocals match the overall bleak sounds the band creates on the album.

Arteaga have a wicked sense of humour on this album especially on Necromance. Maybe influenced by Church Of Misery at times but more sinister. You'll know when you hear the soundclip. Overall, Arteaga is a well-produced and well-made album that offers a high amount of thrills and spills along the way.

If you're looking for a bold and highly adventurous Doom/Garage/Psych/Stoner Rock album then you've come to the right place. Arteaga will have you covered. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp