Oak - Fin (EP Review)

 

Release Date: May 14th 2021. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD/Cassette

Fin - Tracklisting

Bells

Beyond…

Broken King

Band Members

Andy - Vocals

Kevin - Guitar

Richard - Bass

Alex - Drums

Review

Fin is the final release from UK Stoner Rockers Oak who have decided to call it a day after 6 years. The band achieved a lot during that time and that’s releasing some quality releases which started with their debut self-titled EP back in 2015. The band is perhaps one of the best sounding “KYUSS” mentalities and influences within the UK Stoner Rock scene but with darker intentions lurking in the background.

Fin offers 3 tracks of quality sounding Stoner Metal with a twinge of Psychedelic Doom Metal darkness contained within the songs and perhaps the cool as hell vocals. The fuzzy grooves are excellent especially on the excellent song -Beyond... - which leaves with the sad realization that this song is perhaps some of the strongest music Oak have released to date.

The final song Broken King allows Oak the opportunity to say farewell to their fans with heavy and bombastic sounds that drive the Desert/Stoner Rock atmosphere home with convincing effect.

I wish all the members of Oak every success with their musical careers in the future and even though we never received the full length album from Oak there is still some great music for folks to check out.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

OAK - II (EP Review)

Release date: June 26th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

II – Tracklisting

1.Mirage 05:36

2.Against The Rain 05:41

3.A Bridge Too Far 06:30

4.Smoke 05:48

Band Members:

Vocals - Andy Valiant

Guitar - Kevin

Bass - Scott

Drums - Clinton

Review:

Psychedelic Desert/Stoner Rockers – Oak, hail from London, United Kingdom but going by this EP they could have easily grew up around the legendary Californian Desert Rock/Stoner Rock scene. As they have perfectly captured that classic Stoner Rock sound with layers of distorted Desert/Fuzz Rock.

Their new EP – II, sees Oak play a heavier blend of Stoner Rock/Metal compared to their debut EP, I which was released in November 2015. Opening track – Mirage – is a hard rocking number with Oak providing a commanding presence right from the start. The riffs have a certain Kyuss/Fu Manchu vibe to them but Oak really started to impress me when they started playing a heavier blues rock kind of sound. Andy's vocals are not your usual Desert/Stoner Rock sound as he adds a determined steel like vibe to proceedings.

Second track – Against The Rain – offers a more psychedelic doom based atmosphere that allows Oak to play a more laid-back style kind of stoner rock. It's still heavy as hell but the lyrics and Andy's vocals are more personal. Though when things become heavier it's good to hear Oak paying homage to their musical heroes whilst creating their own musical legacy.

The final two tracks – A Bridge Too Far and Smoke continue the heavy Desert/Stoner Rock sound where Andy's vocals are built upon fast-paced riffs you're never bored with. The amount of FUZZ is what holds your attention as these guys could give Truckfighters a run for their money.

A Bridge Too Far does take a little while longer to get going but that's cool as Oak experiment with their sound as they create a more slower style of music that we are used to from them. The blues based moments slow the mood right down and it can drag a little but you can never keep a great band down as Oak soon return to their fast-paced sound.

My final thoughts on II, is that Oak have delivered another well-produced EP that all fans of the Desert/Stoner Rock scene should definitely check out now. It's a much better release than their debut EP and it shows Oak show true potential for hopefully their full length album. Check this out and embrace the magical world of OAK.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

OAK - S/T (EP Review)

Release date: November 17^th 2015. Label: Self Released Format: DD

OAK – S/T – Tracklisting

1.All Above 04:51

2.Queen Of This Land 02:41

3.Ride With Me 07:18

4.Dissolve 05:17

Band Members:

Vocals - Andy

Guitar - Kevin

Bass - Scott

Drums - Sergiu

Review:

Heavy Desert/Stoner Rock Band – OAK – hail from London, UK and it seems they're a fairly new band only starting in April 2015. The guys have just released their debut S/T EP and it's a blast of good old fashioned Desert/Stoner Rock riffs with the right amount of Psych Rock thrown in for good measure.

Fans of Kyuss, QOTSA and Truckfighters will no doubt find much to enjoy here as OAK create some heavy psych riffs with a hint of Doom appearing here and there. Opening track - All Above – is the perfect introduction from the band as it shows you what they're all about. Heavy and trippy sounds blended with some damn fine spaced out riffs. Lead vocalist – Andy – has fire in his belly as he shouts, sings and screams with supreme confidence. Sure he doesn't have the most polished of vocals but it's the perfect fir for OAK's blend of Stoner Rock.

Second track – Queen Of This Land – reminds me of UK based Sludge/Noise Rockers – Bad Guys especially with the Punk based delivery of the guitars and Andy's demonic out of control vocals. It has shades of 90s Alt Rock appearing from time to time but it's a great song to let out any pent up aggression you may have.

Third track – Ride With Me – is the best song on the album. A blues rock laiden Psych/Doom/Stoner Rock epic that contains layers of different noises to prove OAK have something special about them. Andy's vocals once again don't seem the natural fit at first but give it time and he will soon win you round. Though it's the riffs that will hold your attention here as OAK create some heavy fucked up moments you want to hear over and over again.

The final track – Dissolve – is a more straight-forward Psych/Desert Rock affair with the band opting for a more stripped back approach compared to the other songs. It's perhaps Andy's weakest vocal performance on the EP. He still delivers a very solid performance but I preferred Andy's vocals on the other tracks when he was loud and full of angry confidence. Apart from that minor complaint this is a great way to end the EP with. As OAK leave you begging for more. It would have been great if the band included one more song but it's always good for a band leaving you wanting more. Maybe on the next EP or hopefully full length record.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp