Mammoth Salmon - Magnetic Fields Of Radiant Light (Album Review)

Release date: July 14th 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Magnetic Fields Of Radiant Light – Tracklisting

1.Apotheosis 07:08

2.Mortals 08:26

3.Maelstrom of Discontent 07:47

4.Black Moon Ritual 07:40

5.Magnetic Fields of Radiant Light 08:47

Band Members

Paul Dudziak- vocals, guitars

Matt Howl-bass

Chad Walter-drums

Review

Portland Sludge/Stoner Rockers – Mammoth Salmon – make a welcome return with their epic new album – Magnetic Fields Of Radiant Light. Two years have passed since the band released their last album and the guys have returned in spectacular fashion. With five heavy sounding sludge/stoner rock songs that have a more doomed and spaced out feel.

Opening track – Apotheosis – has a classic heavy metal feel with Paul's vocals adapting a more heavy metal approach compared to previous albums. The riffs have been given a slight doom/psychedelic makeover as Mammoth Salmon's earlier sounds have become heavier and emotionally distant at times. The psychedelic noises add a harsh sound to the overall tone of the album. It may take some time getting used to but the band are playing some heavily tuned out devilish riffs.

Second track – Mortals – carries on the twisted Sludge/Stoner/Doom Rock sound with the band opening the song with a slowly played riff. Shades of Sabbath can be felt as the band adapt a more Blues Rock approach to their music. It's a slowly played track with violent outbursts of Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs to keep the die-hard metalheads fully entertained.

The other three tracks on the album – Maelstrom Of Discontent, Black Moon Ritual and Magnetic Fields Of Radiant Light – all carry on the dark and twisted doomed out riffs that Mammath Salmon expertly create. The down-tuned Sludge/Stoner Metal sounds is played to full effect as the band fully explore their Doom Metal identity compared to previous albums. Paul's vocals are more adventurous with shades of NWOBHM making a welcome appearance.

The standout song is the epic title track which captures everything we love about Mammoth Salmon. Heavy sounds and more outlandish vocals from Paul with stunning support from Matt and Chris on bass and drums respectively. The song does move from different genres too many times for my liking but the song contains my favourite moments of the album. Distorted sludge sounds with a nightmarish feel that will leave the listener pressing play one more time and listening this album from the very start, over and over again.

Magnetic Fields Of Radiant Light is another superb album from Mammoth Salmon and one that proves why these guys are so highly thought of.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Mammoth Salmon - Last Vestige Of Humanity (Album Review)

Release date: August 31^st 2015. Label: Self Released. Formats: DD 

Last Vestige Of Humanity: Tracklisting 

1.Ad Nauseam 04:16
2.Acid Casualty 07:04
3.Last Vestige of Humanity 08:57
4.Memoriam 08:53
5.Shattered Existence 06:52
6.Believe Nothing 10:08 

Band Members: 

Paul Dudziak--Guitar, Vocals
Alex Bateman--Bass
Steve Lyons--Drums 

Review: 

Well it's been a long 18 month wait for Mammoth Salmon to return with another round of heavy riffs to rock out to. Last Vestige Of Humanity is possibly Mammoth Salmon's finest work to date after a string of acclaimed EP's. Mammoth Salmon are ready to show the world what they can do with their blistering debut album. What you get is 6 tracks of heavy down-tuned Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal riffs with Mammoth Salmon showing why they're worth giving a damn about.

If you dig bands such as Weedeater, Bongzilla and Red Fang then Mammoth Salmon is the band for you. The album runs for an action packed 46 minutes or so. And it's jam packed full of great sludge/doom/stoner metal riffs. Opening track – Ad Nauseam – sees the band let fly with a barrage of non-stop riffs and grizzled vocals to match. It's the shortest song on the album and it perfectly captures what Mammoth Salmon is all about. Mainly having a good time playing down-tempo sludgy heavy as fuck riffs.

Second track – Acid Casualty – sees the band offer a more progressive style of Sludge/Stoner Metal. The rest of the album follows the same formula as this song. Long drawn out and doomy based riffs that have a slight NOLA sound though mixed with the familiar Portland sound that's becoming quite well known in Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal circles.

Obviously with this being a Portland band, they have tapped up one of the best recording mixers and engineers in the business – Adam Pike. Adam has been involved with a ton of great bands from the Portland scene. And it's good to see him doing the business on Mammoth Salmon's release yet again as the album sounds superb.

The stand-out track has to be the title track – Last Vestige Of Humanity. A bluesy psychedelic offering with the band creating an exciting tale of doom and gloom based riffs. The vocals take a while to get used to but Paul will soon win you over especially when he drifts into his psychopathic mad-man persona. The drumming is another highlight with Steve banging the hell out of the drums on this track.

It's to Mammoth Salmon's credit that they've included a huge amount of different noises and sounds for the album. You will need to listen to this album a few times to experience the full effect. Some people may think Mammoth Salmon have a simple approach to their music but trust me they don't. These guys have some brilliant ideas waiting to be discovered underneath the murky swamp based rhythms of the album.

Other great songs to check out are Memoriam, Shattered Existence and Believe Nothing as Mammoth Salmon unleash hell on earth with a wicked sense of humour to match. Last Vestige Of Humanity is a blast from start to finish and it's definitely been worth the epic wait. Buy this now as it's fucking awesome. No question about it.

You can buy Last Vestige Of Humanity on BandCamp Buy Now Download. A physical release will be coming later in the year. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links: 

Facebook | BandCamp