Merlock - Onward Strides Colossus (Album Review)

Release Date: February 24th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

Onward Strides Colossus - Tracklisting

1.Sovereign Throne

2.Sunnbarrenn

3.Behold! The Sword of Lock

4.Where No One Goes

5.Somniloquy

6.Onward Strides Colossus

Members

Andrew Backes - Bass

Lucas Barrey - Drums

Taylor D. Waring - Vocals/Guitar

Review

Onward Strides Colossus is the new album from Psych Doom/Stoner Metallers Merlock who bring a more adventurous sound compared to their previous releases. The album is a kaleidoscope of different elements of Heavy Rock soundscapes which sees Merlock venture briefly in 1960’s Psych Rock and modern day Doom/Stoner Metal with a flashier Progressive style. You can even say Merlock aims for a STADIUM ROCK sound that brings memories of MUSE on certain parts of the album.

Opening song Sovereign Throne is deeply mysterious with Merlock offering a Post-Rock environment which even goes a slight 1960’s Psych Rock transition the seedy Doom/Stoner Metal grooves the band are known for. Heavy SABBATH and SLEEP based WEEDIAN influences allows Merlock to offer a more melodic and gloomy instrumental sound. Ambient soundscapes work surprisingly well with the stunning vocals that appear on the song. 

Second song Sunnbarrenn is an epic track running past the nine minutes mark with Merlock playing a harsher style of Post-Doom, Post-Metal and almost Down-tuned sounds for the first few moments of the track. There’s more emphasis on riffs and creative control here with Merlock showing some mighty Prog Rock detail but still retaining a harsh Stoner Metal flavour. Taylor’s vocals move effortlessly between many different styles which are perhaps his best vocal work to date. The song is packed full of deliciously dark instrumental sounds that sees Merlock playing a similar sound that Mastodon used to play back in their early formative years.

Third song Behold! The Sword Of Lock carries on that Ambient/Psych Metal structure but with a more THRASHIER sound that gives Merlock a more threatening presence to their sound. The song is very fast-paced and could be jarring for some. Though, the song does offer some of the heaviest grooves on the album. The second half of the track sees Taylor perform a more operatic and stadium rock performance where his vocals are concerned. The music are fantastic and show some genuine trippy Psychedelic creativity where the Doomed Out Moments overlap with the Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves that end the song on an exciting finish.

Fourth song Where No One Goes is the standout track with Merlock drawing upon an Proggy Post-Rock perspective that allows the sound of the album become more Spaced Out. The lyrical content is wonderfully dark and the music offers an END OF THE WORLD feeling. Intense drumming and sublime bass lines from Lucas and Andrew perhaps shine the brightest here. Though, the sonically powerful grooves from Taylor are great as well. There’s a distinctive solitary feeling on this album that feels like this track was recorded live. It’s brutally raw sounding but still draws the listener in with its epic use of multi-layered psychedelic sounds throughout the track.

The final two tracks of Somniloquy and Onward Strides Colossus is perhaps Merlock shine the most creatively speaking. 

Somniloquy is a wonderful Post-Doom/Post-Rock song with a haunting melodic score that shows a different caring side to Merlock with some of the most emotionally charged moments held on the album. Perhaps channelling MUSE and PALLBEARER in places but still undeniably Merlock. One of the other standout tracks on the album.

The final song Onward Strides Colossus is Merlock at their most heaviest and creative best. As they conjure grooves that are distant and moody whilst having a certain ABSTRACT feel to them. The song runs past the ten minutes mark, so Merlock offers a more progressive structure on this part of the album. However, the harsh and clean vocals from Taylor offers the listener a more Atmospheric style compared to the other tracks. The grooves are slowly played at first before moving up a gear for a classic style of Doom/Stoner Metal with violent outbursts of Psych Sludge Metal.

Onward Strides Colossus is boosted by excellent production values and with them having a slightly DIY approach, Merlock are fast becoming an essential part of the Underground Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal scenes. This is a first rate album packed full of many different twists and turns to delight the most jaded of music fans with. Merlock has released one of the first and must have essential albums of 2023.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to C Squared Music for the promo. 

Onward Strides Colossus will be available to buy on CD/DD from February 24th 2023.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

MERLOCK Announce New Album Onward Strives Colossus

MERLOCK Announce New Album Onward Strives Colossus

Exploring gloomy realms, MERLOCK produce imposing soundscapes that embrace the murky depths. Seeing multiple genres converge, MERLOCK manifest a compelling doom, psychedelic and stoner mix in the new record. Onward Strives Colossus will be released on February 24th, 2023.

"Onward Strides Colossus is a sort of “hero's journey” set in a posthuman, postdoom atmosphere. Sonically and lyrically, it explores cycles of death and rebirth, notions of hell, and of self-actualization. Seeking truth is the primary urge of the album, and that urge becomes, at times, colossal, which is where the name comes from. Heady pretension aside, the album is also very much about the three of us building this monstrosity that is Merlock. Writing albums, touring, failure & victory — all of those intense experiences that continually shape and reshape us as people. We all had to grow into new, more powerful versions of ourselves to create this album. We know the Colossus doesn’t stop here." — Taylor D. Waring

Introducing the release is "Sovereign Throne", a groove rhythm powered track with a bluesy side. Lead guitars emerge out of the shadows with bright intricate solos that interweave. An injection of energy sees the pace increase and elevates the music as the vocals soar above. "Behold the Sword of Lock" brings an aggressive onslaught seeing harsh vocals combined with noisy guitar tones to unleash a fully immersive sound. MERLOCK pull out all the stops with the album's title track. Eerie, droning fuzz and wandering vocals evoke a haunting, otherworldly air. Playing with dynamics, the tracks builds up into explosive rhythmic guitars and percussion — "Onward Strides Colossus" delivers a powerful and impressive impact.

About MERLOCK:

Described by critics as “gloomy and semi-mystical”, “shadowy and mysterious”, and “epic and ever-climbing”, MERLOCK melds stoner doom with heavy psychedelic sounds to create heavy post-doom atmospheres. Formed in 2017 in Spokane, Washington, MERLOCK has self-released 2 EPs and toured the West Coast while continuously demonstrating their willingness to evolve a songwriters and performers. Having weathered line-up changes and the ever-evolving music scene in the post-COVID world, MERLOCK continues to look for new paths forward.

MERLOCK is:

 
Taylor D. Waring - Guitar / Vox
Andrew Backes - Bass
Lucas Barrey - Drums

Album Credits:

 
Album Art - Leoncio Harmr
Album Layout - Taylor D. Waring
Engineering and Mixing - Nic Wilbur
Mastering - Adam Tucker

Track Listing: 

1. Sovereign Throne 

2. Sunnbarren

3. Behold! The Sword of Lock

4. Where No One Goes

5. Somniloquy

6. Onward Strides Colossus

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merlocklives

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merlocklives/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/merlocklives

Bandcamp: https://merlock.bandcamp.com/

Website: https://www.merlocklives.com/

Merlock - You Cannot Be Saved (EP Review)

 

Release Date: November 19th 2021. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD/CD/Cassette

You Cannot Be Saved - Tracklisting

1.Grimelord 04:58

2.Idolon (return) 08:41

3.Final Condemnation 06:18

4.Where No One Goes 07:37

5.Gloomtrain 06:53

6.Electric Funeral (Pantera Cover) 05:39

Review

You Cannot Be Saved is the new EP from Psych Stoner Metallers Merlock who bring a darker narrative and style of music compared to their 2020 acclaimed EP “that which speaks…”. This release has a heavier approach that sees the band bring their Amplifier Post-Doom/Stoner Metal to a more heavier and distorted style of music.

The result is quite sparse and solitary but with the band bringing a real Psychedelic flair right from the excellent opening song Grimelord. The band still fully believe in the “STONER” or “WEEDIAN” way of life on this song but they have a more mature style of playing and the vocals are outstanding even when portrayed in a more raw style compared to their last EP. The instrumental work is technically solid with Merlock playing their own convincing blend of Psych Stoner Metal that feels quite original though offering familiar vibes.

Second song Idolon (return) is a more gloomy sonic based affair with twisted Doom/Drone Metal melodies being joined together by Sludgy CHANTS and VOCALS that portray an eerie picture that remind me of Pallbearer and possibly AHAB. Though the fast-paced grooves change the narrative and it becomes time for Merlock to be judged on their own creative merits. The song remains cautiously bleak with all sense of optimism kept to a low amount. This is one of the best songs on the EP that shows a different side to Merlock.

Merlock carry on with the Progressive and Psychedelic journey for the next four songs with the band showing plenty of SABBATH based riff worship with huge doses of Heavy Psychedelic Grooves. The production on the EP is mostly superb but there are a few moments where things aren’t as clear or as loud they possibly should be. Though, it doesn’t stop the overall enjoyment of the EP itself, The instrumental work is excellent and you can hear every note played towards you especially on tracks such as: Where No One Goes and Gloomtrain.

Merlock have included a cover of Pantera classic Electric Funeral and it’s a great cover that allows Merlock to put their own spin on the track whilst sticking closely to the original song.

With a promised debut full length album in 2022 then the future is quite bright for Merlock, though you won’t feel that with this EP. As the EP is all about DOOM and GLOOM with Merlock putting the listener through their paces for the entire length of the EP.

All in all, You Cannot Be Saved is another challenging and superbly entertaining slice of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal from Merlock and should no doubt keep their horde of Doom/Stoner Metal followers entertained for some time and even allow the band gain some new followers along the way.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Merlock - that which speaks... (EP Review)

Release date: July 10th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: Cassette/DD

that which speaks... – Tracklisting

1.idolon

2.prolapse

3.[vessel]

4.condemnation

Members

Lead Guitar & Vocals: Taylor D. Waring

Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Riley D. Moore

Bass: Andrew Backes

Drums: Lucas Wild Barrey

Review

that which speaks… is the debut EP from Psychedelic Sludge/Doom/Stoner Riffsters – Merlock – and this is my first excursion to their trippy and very surreal take on all things Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal. Merlock show a wealth of different creative ideas and sounds on this album that took me quite a few listens to fully admire and appreciate. The album switches from harsh Post-Doom environments to more straight-forward Sludge/Stoner Metal surroundings that make you wonder that certain parts of the album were made by multiple different bands.

The EP is very LOUD and Merlock thrive on that fact whilst adding a trippy Spaced Out or Sludge-Gaze sound that even has traces of classic and true sounding Heavy Metal that helps make the rough sounding parts of the record even more thrilling and authentic.

The EP has 4 tracks with Merlock showing they aren’t afraid to experiment with their music and offering a “Death/Doom” style of vocals on certain parts of the album. Though, there are some truly inspired theatrical and OTT vocals to give “that which speaks...” that something little bit different to offer.

The record can be downright bleak and nasty in places but it’s the huge sounding Psychedelic and Progressive moments where Merlock impressed myself the most. As you begin to explore and understand their music more with some epic riffs being played along the way. The EP is quite raw in places and has a more organic feel compared to other records that I’ve listened to recently.

All of the songs ran between 7 minutes and 8 minutes in length and Merlock have a lot of time to play with to refine and perfect their highly experimental style of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal, The second half of the EP is perhaps the strongest part of the record with the final two songs of [vessel] and condemnation having the better sounds and ideas on the record. Though, as one epic release, Merlock have released a thrilling and adventurous EP that harks back to the early days of Mastodon with their style of Progressive Sludge based guitars and ideas written for this release.

If this is classed as an EP then I’m truly excited to hear what Merlock can do with a full length album. As no doubt everything will be bigger, bolder and even crazier to what is to be found on “that which speaks...” - Until then, this EP from Merlock is the type of record that the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community needs right now.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Leanne at Mettle Media PR for the promo. "that which speaks..." will be available to buy on Cassette/DD from July 10th 2020

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp