Release Date: January 17th 2025. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Diminishing Returns - Track Listing:
1. Drowning All Night
2. Boogie Johnson
3. Spin Up Spin Down
4. Astrogarden
5. 3rd Street Shuffle
6. Unsustainable
7. Common Board, Magic Nail
8. Shadow Of A Mountain
Members
Michael Dye - Bass, Synth, Vocals
Mark Hennessy - Vocals
Cody Romaine - Drums
Ben White - Guitar, Synth, Vocals
Featuring
Chris Copp - Vocals on "Astrogarden"
Chelsey Larson and Lauren Mayhew - vocals on "Common Board, Magic Nail"
Lizz Weiler - Vocals on "Unsustainable"
Slade Templeton - production/synths on "Unsustainable"
Basil Oberli - electronic drums on "Unsustainable"
Review
Alternative/Stoner Rock outfit Godzillionaire return with their new album Diminishing Returns and it’s a refreshing style of music from the underground Grunge/Stoner Rock movement which is firmly solidified by Ripple Music signing this great band to their roster. The band who are led by Singer, Poet, and Artist Mark Hennessy once again brings his steely eyed expertise and outlaw mysticism to the record with his vocal delivery adding a real storyteller effect to the album.
Diminishing Returns is a mighty throwback to the classic 90’s Rock/Metal scene where every style of Rock and Roll worked wonders by adding different melodies and musical structures. Godzillionaire explores a classic Psych Rock and Grunge Rock ideology into their music with shades of KYUSS, FU MANCHU, Soundgarden and even Audioslave appearing within the fast paced movements of the epic solos that are played throughout the album.
The first two tracks of Drowning All Night and Boogie Johnson are straight up bangers with the band flexing their Fuzz Rock, Stoner, Psych and Grunge surroundings with the music being quite heavy, surreal, dreamlike and bleakly sinister with some of the lyrics. However, the music is played on a grand scale with Michael Dye (Bass), Cody Romaine (Drums) and Ben White (Guitar, Synth, Vocals) all providing epic soundscapes for Mark to explore his bombastic vocals throughout.
Third track Spin Up Spin Down was quite a surprise as it changes dramatically with the band exploring a dreamlike Shoegaze and Post-Rock vibe before slowly bringing heavy FUZZY guitars whilst still allowing the Post-Rock creative energy to still be the leading light of this track. Some fantastic classic Hard Rock guitar solos and ethereal vocals make this easily the standout track of the whole album.
The next part of the album sees Godzillionaire allow guest musicians to appear on tracks such as Astrogarden, Unsustainable and “Common Board, Magic Ball”. These tracks perhaps have the more “WOW FACTOR” behind them especially with Unsustainable and “Common Board, Magic Ball”. The sound becomes even more Stoner Metal obsessive with thundering guitars and a classic Grunge groove forming with a subtle Blues Rock demeanor holding everything together.
I also have to highlight one of my other favoiirte aspects of this album is how Psychedelic and Spaced Out the record ultimately becomes. That tone maybe understated but it’s most definitely there and gives this record a class of Psychedelic heaviness all of its own making.
Diminishing Returns is a stunning album packed full of STONER ROCK/METAL hits of the highest order which gets the year off to a flying start and with Ripple Music releasing this great album, what more could you possibly want. Godzillionaire have released the “first” Album Of The Year” contender right here. Believe me on that one…
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR for promo.
Diminishing Returns will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music from Friday 17th January 2025.
Links
Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
