Dead Otter - Bridge Of Weird (Album Review)

Release date: August 24th 2018. Label: Riot Season Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Bridge Of Weird – Tracklisting

1.Eye Elevator 07:03

2.Waning 07:21

3.Fur 00:32

4.V-426 03:58

5.Bridge of Weird 13:45

Members

John - Guitar, Vocals,
Omar - Guitar,
Gavin - Bass,
Scott - Drums,
John - Drums

Review

Dead Otter’s debut album – Bridge Of Weird – is a slice of psychedelic/space rock weirdness with the band creating a very different and surreal style of Stoner Rock. The music is very jam based at times and the album has a looser flow and structure compared to other Space/Stoner Rock albums that I’ve heard recently. Though Dead Otter become a heavier band when the heavier psychedelic riffs are in full flow.

Opening song – Eye Elevator – is a very intriguing song with Dead Otter moving from one form of psychedelic rock to the next. There are even moments of Post-Rock interludes within this song that gives this song a haunting and emotional edge. If you dig bands such as Hawkwind, Monkey3 and Monomyth then Dead Otter will be the band for you. As they have a similar style of music as those great bands.

Second track – Waning – is a more calmer affair with the band playing a slower style of Spaced Out Riffs. Though that doesn’t stop the band by adding elements of Stoner Rock at different parts of the song. The groovy guitar sounds leave you in a tranquil state. The song would have been more exciting if the band played a faster and heavier style of music. Though I have a feeling this song will become one of my favourites tracks to hear on the record in the near future.

Third track – Fur – is a 30 second interlude with the familiar sounding riffs. It’s nicely played but it doesn’t bring anything new or exciting to the album.

However the final two tracks – LV-426 and Bridge Of Weird – is where Dead Otter impress the most as they play the heaviest moments on the album with LV-426 being one of the best songs on the album. Named after the planet from the classic movie – ALIEN. This song has a more doomier aspect compared to the other songs on the album and the Classic 70s Prog Rock guitar solos allow Dead Otter to play a more experimental style of music.

The final epic song – Bridge Of Weird – is an almost 14 minutes song and is perhaps the centrepiece of the entire album. As the song drifts from Classic Rock, Stoner Rock, Psych and Space Rock and still sounding very different as well. Maybe it’s the Post-Rock interludes hidden in the background that sees Dead Otter leave you richly rewarded and wanting more.

It’s a shame the album is on far too short running under 35 minutes. However with that being said, The Bridge Of Weird is a superbly entertaining album and should have you coming back for non-stop repeated listens.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Riot Season Records and Dead Otter for the promo. The Bridge Of Weird will is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl now from Riot Season Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Dead Otter - Pathfinder (EP Review)

Release date: October 26th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Pathfinder – Tracklisting

1.Stoner Devil 06:24

2.Open my eyes.. seen enough now 06:49

3.The Whangy 03:07

4.Pathfinder 07:53

Band Members

Drums - Scott Falconer

Bass - Gav Riddell

Guitar & Vocals - John Riddell

Guitar - Omar Aborida

Review

Glaswegian Stoner Rockers – Dead Otter – released their debut EP back in October 2016. It's taking me some time to get my shit together and review their debut EP. Which I can only apologize to the band for. Anyway, what can you expect with Dead Otter. How about a band playing spaced out stoner riffs with some nice touches of classic hard rock/prog metal being added here and there.

The first track Stoner Devil is primarily an Instrumental Stoner Rock songs with some impressive jam based rock being played throughout. It's nothing we haven't heard before but Dead Otter keep the mood fresh and loud.

Second track - Open My Eyes.. seen enough now – sees Dead Otter venture into Monster Magnet Tab Era territory. Dronish vocals and hazy psychedelic jams that has a fresh spin on all things Prog Stoner Rock. The second half of the song is very different to the first half with Dead Otter leaving the dronish vocals behind for a more commanding performance.

Third track – The Whangy – is a more straight-forward Stoner Rock number lasting around 3 minutes but it still allows Dead Otter to create one hell of a racket. It's perhaps the most fun song on the album as Dead Otter prove they can get down and boogie with the best Stoner Rock bands currently out there.

The final track – Pathfinder – is the standout track on the album as Dead Otter combine Eastern based sounds with classic psychedelic stoner rock riffs. It does take time for the song to finally get moving but I was more impressed with the instrumental work on show. As the guys can really play. Is that surprising as one of the members (Omar) is part of legendary Space Rock collective - The Cosmic Dead. So these guys can play.

Pathfinder is a superb debut EP. I hope Dead Otter have more releases coming this year. As I have a feeling that we need a full length album to experience the “real” Dead Otter or see them live in concert if you can.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

PS – No Otters were harmed in the making of this EP. As the guys are 100% Otter friendly.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp