SUMO - III (Album Review)

Release Date: December 13th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

III - Track Listing:

1. Alyssa (5:50)

2. IPCRESS (5:40)

3. SETI3 (1:39)

4. Shadow of Antiope (5:10)

5. Eta Carinae (6:48)

6. Apophis (5:10)

7. SETI4 (0:47)

8. Cygnus (3:40)

9. Enceladus (6:44)

Members

Amado Ventura: Bass

Hector Mojena: Drums

Chris Salazar: Guitar

Review

Heavy Instrumental Space Rockers SUMO return with their third length album imaginatively titled “III” where the band continue their deep musical exploration into the far reaches of Post-Rock, Cosmic Rock, Shoegaze, Stoner Rock and Psych Rock sounds with a rich Progressive Rock flair appearing along the way. SUMO develop and orchestrate a rich Sludge Rock heavy direction which allows III to be superbly heavy when the time calls for this with sublime guitars that’s quite familiar for fans of music who follow the Florida Heavy Rock scene.

WIth inspiration from bands such as HUM, TORCHE, Pelican, Russian Circles, The Cure and Mogwai with SUMO creating a record that has an effortless amount of aggression, energy and melody combining for an action packed story that’s helped along by interesting choice of soundbytes and samples. The opening tracks of Alyssa and IPCRESS both skate around the dynamics of technicalities of Post Rock before joining creative forces with other areas of music for a sound that’s both tranquil and destructive with a gloomy sense of Space Rock melodies becoming quite cold hearted in places but always wholly original.

SUMO delivers haunting Ambient sounds and synths along the way which gives a Drone based quality on the experimental parts of the album. This appears in the most unexpected of places before SUMO delves into another area of music which feels like the song remains unopened and unanswered but maybe that's the point in certain cases especially with tracks such as IPCRESS and SETI3. That’s one of the highlights of the album with III not offering all the available answers and allowing the listener to draw up their own conclusions.

The album can also be quite uplifting which you’ll experience within the opening moments of the standout fourth track Shadow Of Antiope. There are echoes of Pelican and TORCHE running throughout this track but SUMO are still in full driving control with the excellent use of soundclips adding to the creative narrative of the story. The stop/start sludgy guitars have a slight Electro Rock beat to them with a subtle Psych Rock flavour keeping everything grounded.

SUMO opt for a cerebral style of Post-Rock with a Post-Doom outlook that becomes dominated by a Progressive Rock vibe which fully takes effect across tracks such as: Eta Carinae, Apophis and Enceladus that offer the perfect and winning combination of abstract extended instrumental jams with a free flowing CINEMATIC ROCK attitude. 

SUMO have teamup with ex-TORCHE bassist Jonathan Nuñez who recorded, mixed and co-produced the album and I’m becoming a huge fan of Jonathan’s studio work thanks to his recent collaborations with ORBITER and RESTLESS SPIRIT. Jonathan works wonders yet again here but allowing SUMO the chance to develop their own fascinating and brilliantly heavy sound that ultimately leaves you wanting to hear more.

III is a grand musical adventure from SUMO that masters the fine art of blending Post-Rock harmonies with the heavier and aggressive moments of Doom, Sludge, Stoner and everything else in between. THis allows III to be ranked as one of the standout instrumental records of the year.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

III will be available to buy on Digital Download from Friday 13th December 2024.

Links

Official | Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook 

Introduce Yourselves: Solnedgang

What is the name of your band?

Solnedgang

What is the genre of music that you play?

Post-rock/metal probably describes it best.

Can you give a brief history of the band of how it came together and where it is today?

Solnedgang is a one-man band and I (Jon) am originally from Norway, but I’ve been based in the UK since 2009. I had been playing, writing and recording just for fun for years and I got a bit bored of it all until I reached a point when I wasn't really even playing my guitar anymore. Then I got back into it at the end of 2022 and suddenly tapped into this well of inspiration, and I surprised myself with the quality (in my opinion) of the stuff I was writing. Trying to force myself to actually put some music out I came up with the name (which means ‘sunset’ in Norwegian) and set up a Bandcamp site. The feedback I've been getting has been truly amazing. I don't think I'll ever get a particularly big audience or anything, as instrumental music is still fairly niche, but just the fact that a few other people seem to like it makes it worthwhile to keep working on and releasing stuff and not doing it just for fun anymore.

What can people expect from your music?

Expect immersive, atmospheric and melodic instrumental rock drawing from a vast array of influences, most notably post-rock, post-metal, black metal and progressive rock/metal. My releases so far, and the upcoming album, have all been inspired by Norse mythology and I feel that comes across quite well in the music, despite it being instrumental.
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What is the best release that folks should check out from your band?

My first single ‘Nornir’ is probably the best track to start with, and there is the Valkyrie EP as well. Check them out here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1PD7uqkbQfqIQs7W5aAsYW
Bandcamp: https://solnedgang.bandcamp.com/
Or on www.solnedgang.co.uk

Where can people find you on Social Media?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089333672717
Instagram: https://instagram.com/solnedgang_music

IAH - V (Album Review)

Release Date: November 05th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

V - Tracklisting

1.Kutno 10:06

2.Madre de los suspiros 06:38

3.Yaldabaoth 08:00

4.Sono io! 01:43

5.Sentado en el borde de una pregunta 06:24

6.Las palabras y el mar 08:45

Members

Juan Pablo Lucco Borlera: Bass

Mauricio Condon: Guitar & Synths

José Landín: Drums

Review

Argentinian Space/Stoner Rockers IAH return with their fifth album simply entitled V which is mostly filled with Ambient Post-Metal explorations and sonic based textures which almost branch out into Sludge Metal riffage. The band are once again quite adept blending Stoner based mysticism and levels of swirling Psychedelic sounds with IAH keeping the mood mostly melodic and quite soulful.

This is the most aggressive album that iAH have delivered to date which you can hear within the first few moments of opening song Kutna. The song blends Post-Thrash beatdowns and lush sounding Post-Metal progressive rhythms with the Ambient noises, glitches and sound effects capturing a darker and more daring style of Space Rock we’ve come to know from IAH. I greatly admire their new found stance into more aggressive areas of Post-Metal/Sludge Metal with the band still not forgetting their early Psych Stoner Rock roots.

IAH starts adding classic Shoegaze effects into their music which turns the atmosphere into modern day Doomgaze trippy sounds on the more mellow parts of the record. The whole creative flow of the album has a true “CINEMATIC” feel to the album with IAH expertly delivering the harsh and heavier grooves at the right time which gives the listener some true headbanging moments to contend with

Second song Madre de los suspiros is more Stoner Rock/Metal orientated with flashes of Psychedelic interludes and Post-Rock vibes with IAH slowly projecting a Post-Doom or gloomy Space Rock journey with the album drawing influences from bands such as Rosetta, Pelican and Russian Circles. There’s another sideline of Post-Thrash beats and breakdowns that appear briefly which allows IAH to explore new sonic fields and areas of Instrumental Heavy Rock.

Third song Yaldaboath explores the Prog Rock arena with eerie Ambient sounds and heavy sludgy guitars with a more aggressive stance of Space Rock slowly building upto different levels of Instrumental heaviness with IAH definitely moving into a more dominant force of Post-Metal surroundings. The song is perhaps my favourite track on the album as it’s a dark journey with IAH expressing themselves mostly through Doom/Sludge Metal grooves with small traces of Post-Rock allowing the band to slow the mood right down.

IAH continue with their Cosmic Heavy Doomed Out journey for the rest of the album with the final two tracks Sentado en el borde de una pregunta and Las palabras y el mar once again allowing IAH to move between the realms of Post-Rock, Stoner Rock, Doom Metal and Sludge Metal with a first rate delivery of intense melodic sounding riffs that sometimes last an absolute age.

The most standout element from V is the actual instrumental journey itself with IAH playing multiple different sounds and genres we haven’t heard from the band before. This still allows their existing and established fan base to be treated to a first rate instrumental album that only IAH can deliver.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Saint Nicotine - Obsessed With Zero (EP Review)

Release Date: April 22nd 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Obsessed With Zero - Tracklisting

1.Black Mental 02:24

2.Have a nice die 02:26

3.Blame the Servants 02:24

4.Grinder 03:02

5.Road Rage 01:44

Review

Greek Instrumental Sludge Metallers Saint Nicotine are back with another bruising encounter with their new EP - Obsessed With Zero. The EP continues the same gloomy path of their previous releases but with a slightly more industrial based sound. The record lasts around twelve minutes across five tracks with the band still proving they’re quite adept at playing intricate grooves at a delicate pace. 

Saint Nicotine doesn't break any new ground here but it’s a superbly entertaining slice of Instrumental Doom/Sludge Metal with a raw Punk Aesthetic behind it all which you can hear on the first two opening songs of Black Mental and Have A Nice Die. 

The music is deliberately slow throughout and the raw sounding attitude of this release is one of the main strengths. As you can feel the dirty and lo-fi vibe from every angle. Maybe even a twinge of GRUNGE on the later stages of the EP.

Overall, Obsessed With Zero is another great EP from Saint Nicotine to make themselves known with. I would definitely love to hear how Saint Nicotine sounds with better production values behind them on subsequent releases. As they have the tunes to back up their undeniable talent. Still, this is a stellar release from Saint Nicotine. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Dread Bong = S/T (Album Review)

Release Date: February 04th 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Dread Bong  - Tracklisting

The Smoke That Blinds

Red Eyes & Loose Thighs

The Bud Of Destiny

Electric Haze

The Smokings of Satampra Zeiros

Review

I bought Dread Bong self-titled album on February 2022 BandCamp Friday and I was excited by their heavily distorted blend of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal that’s been given an almost Drone Metal makeover. The album can be classed as “One Note” or “One Way” style of music being used on how to deliver their music. However, this album takes many twists and turns with music that’s always constantly changing levels of heaviness and bringing a fresh Psychedelic perspective. 

The sound does have a “SUNN O)))” quality to it with the band allowing the heavy distorted Sludge, Doom and Stoner Metal grooves dictate the action of the entire album. The distorted levels gives the whole atmosphere of the album a menacing approach which you instantly feel and hear on the stunning opening song - The Smoke That Blinds.

This is a “WEEDIAN” based album through and through but with a sinister Drone quality to it. Dread Bong manage play to fantastical guitar solos along the way. There is multiple styles of music being played in the background and it might take a few listens to hear everything being played at you. The music is layered and quite complex in places which just adds to the overall enjoyment of the album.

There are five songs on the album running between seven minutes to ten minutes in length. So perhaps a more progressive listen from what you would expect from an Instrumental album. Dread Bong hit their true creative stride from the excellent songs “Red Eyes & Loose Things” and “The Bud Of Destiny”

Everything comes into play from those particular songs and you can you begin to understand Dread Bong’s overall vision. Channeling bands such as SLEEP, Black Sabbath, Karma To Burn and SUNN 0))) with Dread Bong manage to play a great style of Instrumental Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal of their own. 

The album sounds thoroughly modern with excellent production values having a slight “less is more” approach which ultimately works in the bands favour. The record does feel one epic forty minute plus song broken down into individual chapters. 

The final two songs on the album - Electric Haze and The Smokings Of Satampra Zeiros - are the wildest and heaviest tracks on the whole record. 

Dread Bong’s debut album also comes with a high amount of distorted and drenched out FUZZ ROCK/METAL to give their music extra bite and aggressive attitude. You could also say these guys attend the CHURCH OF AMPLIFIER RIFF WORSHIP with a fresh “LOW & SLOW” attitude running through their veins.

This is a wonderfully heavy and riff-tastic album that pulls no punches but also allows for listeners to enjoy the whole experience of the album. 

Perhaps an early Album Of The Year Contender is right here. Well it is for me.

Awesome stuff….

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp

Void Odyssey - S/T (EP Review)

Release Date: January 08th 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Void Odyssey - S/T - Tracklisting

1.Void Odyssey 06:46

2.Aberration 09:24

3.Reefer Rites 10:28

Review

Void Odyssey debut self-titled EP is one that will appeal to fans of high quality Instrumental Stoner Rock/Metal and takes inspiration from bands such as Karma To Burn and Belzebong. The EP runs a fine line between the Stoner Rock/Metal grooves of K2B and the seedy vibes of Belzebong and Bongripper.

The EP is driven along by a heavy rhythm section with the Bass and Drums being at the forefront of Void Oydssey’s music. The guitars bring the more psychedelic flair to the EP which you can hear on the superb opening title track. A song that starts slow to mid-pace before moving up a gear when the Psychedelic moments appear. Add some creepy soundclips and Void Odyssey have no trouble moving between the different elements of Doom/Stoner Metal. There’s some epic guitar solos here which air on the more cautious side of FUZZ Rock/Metal.

Second song Aberration starts with swirls of Post-Rock before the heavy drums change to a more aggressive style of music whilst holding everything back until the perfect moment the band let rip with a bleaker style of almost Atmospheric Desert Rock. The song does take its time building up the volume levels and when the soundclips return, the music offers a fine balance of Post-Doom and Post-Rock sounds. Void Odyssey brings areas of Progressive Rock/Metal into play here and this is where the band to start to forge their own musical identity.

Third song Reefer Rites is just the “Icing On The Cake” for this EP as Void Odyssey explores the “WEEDIAN” and “LOW & SLOW” styles of music held within the areas of Doom/Stoner Metal for the EP’s standout song. Heavy lo-fi grooves turn to a more sludgier style of music. The song can be quite claustrophobic and downright ugly in places. Perhaps even bringing a BONGRIPPER gloomy influence into the overall feeling and flow of the song.

This has wonderful artwork by the always impressive MontDoom and perfectly captures the trippy WEEDIAN spirit of this release. The production is another highlight with everything sounding excellent and quite crisp from start to finish.

Void Odyssey debut EP is quite frankly an outstanding slice of Instrumental Doom/Stoner Metal that will soon find an appreciative audience within the Doom/Stoner Metal Community.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Blackfold - Solarus (EP Review)

Release Date: October 22nd 2021. Record Label: Trepanation Recordings. Format: CD/DD/Cassette

Solarus  - Tracklisting

1.Solarus - Part I 37:09

2.Solarus - Part II

3.Solarus (FULL)

Members

Isaac J. Dean - Everything

Review

Patience is key for Blackfold debut release Solarus. Comprising elements of Drone, Doom, Sludge, Psych, Post-Rock and Post-Metal for a dark and daring journey into the realm of Instrumental Rock/Metal. Everything is performed by Isaac J. Dean who is influenced by Bongripper, Conan, Sunn O))), BORIS and even Slomatics.

Solarus is described as an EP but one that runs for almost 70 minutes with both tracks running over 37 minutes and 32 minutes in length. The EP builds up slowly adding different layers of Post-Rock/Post-Metal flavours before expanding further into heavy distorted grooves of Doom and Sludge Metal. The cold desolate sound comes from the Industrial Drone stylings that bring a more uneasy feeling to everything.

Things do take time for ideas to fully form and come to fruition but Isaac is a fantastic musician where he brings his many different musical influences to the forefront of Blackfold. This is a bleak record and the only uplifting sounds come from the quieter Ambient Post-Rock sounds that briefly appear from time to time.

I was surprised to see that this EP does have some great riffs along the way. More drone based but they’re leading the way on some parts of the EP. The Psychedelic twinges heard on Solarus Part 1 bring a more caustic approach but the nightmarish drone aspects remind me of Author & Punisher jamming with Slomatics. Weird description I know but it’s the feeling I get for a certain part of the song before the EP changes to a more gloomier and depressing Sludge Metal vibe.

This is a different style of Drone based Instrumental Doom/Sludge Metal with Isaac actually having some really great ideas of his own that I’ve never heard before. There are some parts where I wish there were vocals just to bring the whole thing to life but then a heavy riff comes out of nowhere that makes me forget for thinking about stupid ideas like that.

Solarus should be heard as one continuous track. As it’s a more powerful release that way though the best parts of the EP are most definitely within Solarus Part 2. The production is first rate and you can hear and feel every note played with conviction and this allows Solarus to be an amazing audio experience to listen to. 

This is a powerhouse of a release and if you have the patience to last the full endurance course of 70 minutes then you may be rewarded with one of the best Instrumental Doom/Sludge Metal releases of the year. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Blackfold and Trepanation Recordings for the promo. 

Solarus will be available to buy on digital download and limited edition CD (limited to 50 copies) and cassette (limited to 20 copies. 

You can pre-order your copy here:

https://trepanationrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/solarus 

Links

BandCamp

Svarga - Under The Black Spell (Album Review)

Release Date: May 30th 2021. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Under The Black Spell - Tracklisting

1. Priests Of Bloodlands 04:50

2. Under The Black Spell 05:31

3.Dying Witch 04:18

4.Death of Tribal Lord 07:45

5.Dopeflute 00:41

6.Wizard's Thunder 05:27

7.Wizard of Doom 04:43

Review

Under The Black Spell is the debut album from Serbian Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers Svarga who employ a lo-fi and almost “DIY PUNK” aesthetic to this album. The album is quite ugly in places but they play some epic “SABBATH” inspired Doom sounds with an almost distorted “NOLA” energy to it all. The album runs for 32 minutes across seven tracks which allows the band to play their own blend of devilish FUZZ ROCK/METAL.

Opening song -  Priest Of Bloodlands - is a Doom/Sludge song with a nightmarish feel to it with the heavy guitars being played in a simple “Drone” manner. There isn’t much variety on this song but Svarga brings a heavy thunderous “HIGH ON FIRE” presence which sets up the bleak tone of the album.

Second song - Under The Black Spell - is where Svarga truly show their worth with a great blend of heavy monolithic and almost chainsaw like rhythms with a brooding Doom/Stoner Metal manic energy slowly working its way to the front of the party. The song is superbly fast-paced but still allowing the band the time to think of their next move. The sludgy guitars is the best part of the song with a lot of Psychedelic Doom sounds drifting in and out of the song. 

Svarga bring on the DOOM on the rest of th album with songs such as Dying Witch, Death Of Tribal Lord and Wizard’s Thunder being the real highlights of the album with fantastic bleak and seedy Doom Metal riffs allowing Svarga the opportunity to bring a more fantastical element to their music.

If you’re a fan of CONAN, High On Fire and Black Sabbath then Svarga should be of interest to you. I should point out this album is purely instrumental and you can focus on the great music and many superb ideas the band have brought for their debut release. Sure, the production isn’t the best but the downright heaviness of the music more than makes up for that.

Under The Black Spell did the trick for me with Svarga. This is a captivating and superbly entertaining album.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

YouTube | BandCamp | Instagram

WALL - S/T (EP Review)

Release date: January 15th 2021. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD

WALL – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Wrath Of The Serpent
2.Sonic Mass
3.Obsidian
4.Legion
5.Electric Funeral

Members

Ryan Cole - Guitar & Bass
Elliot Cole - Drums & Percussion

Vocals on Electric Funeral by Dave Oglesby

Review

Wall is the new band from Ryan and Elliot Cole, better known as members of UK Sludge/Stoner Metal Royalty – Desert Storm. This project came was conceived during COVID-19 Lockdown and the guys trying to find a way of stopping the boredom setting in and having a musical output for their creative endeavours. So WALL was born.

Their debut self-titled EP is a heavy and aggressive affair which is made up of ideas and musical themes the guys have been involved in with projects such as Desert Storm and The Grand Mal. Though, this band and subsequent release is instrumental but the band have included a cover of Black Sabbath classic – Electric Funeral as well.

The EP is mighty fine slab of mostly Instrumental Sludge, Doom and Stoner Metal with the guys influenced more perhaps by their good pals KARMA TO BURN who they’ve toured with multiple times over the years. Wall bring a more psychedelic flair to their style of Instrumental Rock/Metal and offer a heavier Doom Metal sound on this release.

Whilst we’ve heard this style of music before, it’s good to see Ryan and Elliot venturing into the more Progressive side of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal and perhaps elements of Mastodon being added for that extra layer of Progressive Metal goodness.

The standout songs are perhaps: Wrath Of The Serpent, Sonic Mass and Obsidian. As they have the more interesting and creative ideas on the EP. Though 4th song – Legion - is n slouch either with some hard-hitting riffs leaving you wanting more.

The final song is the Black Sabbath cover of Electric Funeral where the guys are joined by Dave-O from The Grand Mal. This is a very good cover indeed and even though I’m starting to feel major “Black Sabbath Cover” fatigue with the endless covers that have been released already in 2020, this cover I have plenty of time for. As I’m a fan of Dave-O’s vocals and what he brings to the table. A highly confident performance where he manages to put his spin on things.

For a debut release, this EP is a mighty fine and superbly entertaining effort. The guys have said the following about WALL’s future.

“Wall was initially started as a covid lockdown project, but we’re up for touring and writing more for sure...we’ll what happens!’“

On this release alone, I’m hoping the guys continue with Wall and release more records. As they feel well suited to the world of Instrumental Sludge/Stoner Metal.

Overall, this is a release worth checking out and adding to your record collection if you’re a fan of bands such as Karma To Burn, Mastodon and I better say DESERT STORM as well….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to APF Records for the promo. Wall Self-Titled EP will be available to buy on DD via APF Records from Jan 15th 2021.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Mountain Caller - Chronicle I: The Truthseeker (Album Review)

Release date: November 06th 2020. Label: New Heavy Sounds. Format: DD/Vinyl

Chronicle I: The Truthseeker – Tracklisting

1.Journey Through The Twilight Desert
2.Feast At Half Light City 

3.I Remember Everything
4.Trial By Combat
5.A Clamour Of Limbs
6.Dreamspiral

Members

Claire - Guitar
El - Bass
Max - Drums

Review:

Chronicle I: The Truthseeker is the debut full length album from UK Doom/Stoner/Post-Rock Instrumentalists – Mountain Caller and it’s an album I’ve been looking forward to hearing for some time. As I’ve had great things heard about this band and I wanted to see for myself was the hype justified and I’m happy to tell you that it is.

The album sees Mountain Caller bring their blend of Psychedelic Rock, Doom Metal, Stoner Rock, Post-Rock, Post-Metal with even flashes of Alternative Metal and Jazz Influences shining through on this album. Mountain Caller adapt a bold style of playing for this record and you can hear elements of SLEEP, Black Sabbath, Pelican and Russian Circles on this record but the band still play their own powerful style of Instrumental Rock/Metal music.

The opening song – Journey Through The Twilight Desert – is a lush sounding and heavy based musical odyssey where the group let known their commanding presence with a wide range of different style of music with the band starting things rather slowly with epic Post-Rock/Post-Stoner based grooves. Mountain Caller impressed myself the most when they changed musical direction towards the end of the song where a heavy and powerful Doom/Post-Metal riff comes out of nowhere and the album turns into a more threatening style of music.

Second song – Feast At Half Light City – sees Mountain Caller go another exciting cinematic Post-Rock journey with the band telling a cool story told through the power of music alone. The heavy riffs don’t take long to appear with a stirring mix of Post-Doom sounds and almost apocalyptic Stoner Metal riffs being added for a more fast-paced approach. This song evokes early memories of Pelican with El’s thundering bass playing impressing me the most though fantastic guitar playing by Claire and Max on drums make Mountain Caller a bad-ass POWER-TRIO this early on in the album.

Third song – I Remember Everything – has a more cautious and gloomy feel compared to the other songs on the album with a band playing an Alternative Rock style of music but slowly allowing the other parts of their music to join the party at different parts of this song. This is perhaps the song where you admire how talented Mountain Caller really is as the song is quite technical with the different styles of music the band have included on this song.

The remaining 3 songs on the album carry on the deft experimentation the band have shown on the 1st half of the album with some cool surprises along the way. Take the 5th song – A Clamour Of Limbs - for example. As the band add vocals to the mix. I’m not sure who is singing here but the vocals add a layer of subtlety and class to the overall sound of the song which is set against an ice cold Post-Doom/Post-Rock backdrop of heavy sounds yet again.

The production on the record is flawless and the whole record sounds epic. Though that isn’t surprising since the album was recorded by Joe Clayton of PIJN, and mastered by Magnus Lindberg of CULT OF LUNA. This record really allows Mountain Caller to impress on every song and every note played from start to finish. You can see that I was really impressed by this album and I was from the very first time I listened to it.

Chronicle I: The Truthseeker is a treasure chest packed full of brilliant riffs and brimming with creative ideas that you wouldn’t expect to hear on a debut album. Though, here we are with Mountain Caller’s debut record and it’s a record that you would be proud to have in your collection.

This is one of the best instrumental albums I’ve heard this year and will no doubt end on my Best Albums of 2020 list.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Simon at For The Lost for sending the promo.

Chronicle I: The Truthseeker will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via New Heavy Sounds from November 06th 2020.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp