Hey Satan - Flamingoes (EP Review)

Release Date: January 31st 2025. Record Label: Cold Smoke Record. Formats: DDl

Flamingoes - Track Listing:

1.Rubicon 05:09

2.Flamingoes 03:13

3.Digital Boys with Knives 03:33

4.The Monster 04:31

Members

François : vocals / guitars

Reno : bass

Frank : drums

Review

Flamingoes is the new EP from Stoner Rockers Hey Satan who I originally featured back on the blog back in 2017 when I reviewed their superb debut self titled album. The band have released a couple of more records which I'm ashamed to say passed me by. Well, time to put that right with a review of their excellent new EP, Flamingoes. This is an old school blast of Fuzz Rock, Stoner Rock and Heavy Rock which all build up to an aggressive level of pure FUZZY heaviness.

There are small moments of melodic Classic Hard Rock but Hey Satan remain on the right side of pure STONER METAL excess in the volume department which they apply throughout the EP especially on the standout opening track of Rubicon. The band demonstrate a sublime use of distorted guitars and fuzzy sludgy attitude as well though the main instrumental element of their music reminds of the theme of the classic TV show “SWAT” and that maybe deliberate on Hey Satan’s part. It’s one of the standout moments of the track which gives it quite a rebellious attitude.

Second song Flamingoes is a more direct song with Hey Satan getting down to business in playing a stripped back style of Fuzz, Doom, Stoner and Grunge with echoes of MOTORHEAD appearing at times especially with the vocals and how the band deliver their music. This is a very cool track indeed and perhaps the hippest part of the EP where old-school METALHEADS can fully get on board with.

The final two tracks Digital Boys With Knives and The Monster offer a more modern day Stoner Rock vibe with that solid Doom/Punk Rock swagger allowing Hey Satan to become quite Alt Rock obsessed at times without losing their Stoner Rock focus. The FUZZY bass line builds upto a catchier and thrilling style of music with Digital Boys With Knives building upon the instrumental themes from the excellent opening track of Rubicon.

The final track The Monster allows Hey Satan to play an assorted melody of classic sounding Desert/Stoner Rock grooves that pays homage to the legendary artists that created the scene such as KYUSS, FU MANCHU and YAWNING MAN whilst still injecting their own creative personality into the mix.

Flamingoes is a superbly produced EP which offers fifteen minutes of sublime and top-notch Stoner Rock/Metal entertainment that allows Hey Satan to welcome their return back to the Stoner Rock/Metal underground scene with absolute conviction.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

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Hey Satan - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: January 28th 2017. Label: Cold Smoke Records. Format: DD/Vinyl

Hey Satan – Self Titled – Tracklisting

Fallon City Messiah

Legal Aspect Of Love

Sunshine Blues

In Cold Blood

1991

Song For A Lost Mariner

Red Light Women

Bastardizer

Black Flags Down

This Meat Stinks, Honey

Band Members

François : Lead Vocals/Guitar

Laurent : Vocals/Guitar

Frank : Drums

Review

Hey Satan is a Stoner Rock band with something different about them. This is a band that blends moments of Classic Rock, Desert Rock and Psych for a heavy and interesting sound of their own. You can tell that the band have been influenced by bands such as Kyuss, QOTSA and Led Zeppelin.

Opening track – Fallon City Messiah – is perhaps named after a certain individual that we all know and love. The song does have a Clutch style vibe with the delivery of both the vocals and riffs. Though those initial feelings start to disappear as the song progresses. Heavy Blues Rock spliced with Desert/Stoner Rock that see Hey Satan play with huge confidence. An almost perfect combination of classic stadium rock swagger and modern sounding Stoner sounds.

Second track – Legal Aspect Of Love – has a vintage QOTSA feel to it then it explodes with huge blasts of Stoner Rock/Metal riffs that you don’t really expect. The lyrics have quite a playful and humorous feel to them that matches the crazy instrumental work the band are currently playing.

Third track – Sunshine Blues – is a more straightforward Stoner Rock track with the band playing heavy slow-paced riffs at the start before the heavier moments appear. The vocals by Insert Name Later are cool, focused and precise. The music is once again influenced by the more familiar sounds of Desert/Stoner Rock scene. Hey Satan does inject some much needed creativity along the way.

Fourth track – In Cold Blood – is one of the standout songs on the album. As the band play a more direct style of Psychedelic Stoner Rock with superb instrumental work that demands your full attention. The screeching guitars towards the end add a sense of chaos with the band still in full control of their music.

Fifth track – 1991 – sees the band add a thunderous dash of Blues Rock with the music deciding if it wants to be a seventies sounding loud rock anthem or a modern day sounding stoner rock/metal sing-along. The song finds the right balance between the two different styles of music.

It seems that Hey Satan wanted to create the loudest album they possibly could without them venturing into the world of heavy metal. They succeed on all counts as this is a very loud album from start to finish. Other great tracks to check out are Song For A Lost Mariner, Black Flags Down and Bastardizer.

Hey Satan’s self titled debut album is a celebration of all things HEAVY and LOUD. The production is first rate. All in all, Hey Satan have delivered a brilliantly entertaining debut album that is packed full of anthemic songs. This is one album you’ll be playing over and over again.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Héléna at Domino Media Agency for the promo. Hey Satan will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Cold Smoke Records from Jan 28^th 2017.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp