Willowater - Loyal (EP Review)

Release Date: December 03rd 2021. Record Label. Self Released. Format: DD

Loyal - Tracklisting

Ultimatum

Loyal

Fly High

Winter Now

Members

Jason Taylor

Robbie Carvalho

Review

Anyone remember acclaimed Canadian Psych/Prog Stoner Rockers SIERRA from a few years back. The band went from Heavy Sludgy Stoner Grooves from their debut release to a more subdued Prog Rock flavour with their last release 2018’s The Mirror.

Well SIERRA is back but with a new name of Willowater. They will be releasing their debut EP LOYAL on December 3rd 2021 and have long term plans for future releases. Though, let’s get started with Loyal. What can you expect on this EP. Willowater still carry on that early heavy sludgy SIERRA vibe that lands on the right side of Psychedelic goodness. 

There is still a hazy 70s Hard Rock sound with the vocals being more up front compared to SIERRA’s other releases. The song is quite punchy with Willowater perhaps gaining influences from the lesser known bands of the 70s Hard Rock and 90s Stoner Rock scenes. There is a pounding BASS line that matches the Psychedelic Stoner Grooves superbly well. The band adds cool ELECTRONICA parts or what sounds like ELECTRONICA moments on this song. A superb track to open the EP with.

Second song Loyal opens with the heaviest riffs with brooding drums and intense guitars on the entire EP. Jason’s vocals are veer from Classic Heavy Metal HIgh Pitched Screams to a less Sludge/Stoner Rock style. The song becomes more aggressive with a gloomier approach happening with the lyrics. Another one of the EP’s standout tracks. There is a high amount of Prog Rock/Metal riff wizardry going on within this track. Superb musicianship all round. 

The final two tracks Fly High and Winter Now continue with the same mission of embracing the two worlds of Psych Stoner Rock and 70s Prog Metal with a fine detour into other areas of music. I loved the ELECTRONICA vibe once again on Winter Now. The vocals and lyrics are superb but maybe not as strong as two opening tracks. However, this still allows Willowater to release a superbly written and produced Debut EP to build upon and the guys look to have a wonderfully bright future indeed.

SIERRA may be dead. LONG LIVE WILLOWATER.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jason for the promo. Loyal will be available to buy digitally on December 3rd 2021.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

An Interview With Jason Taylor From SIERRA

I've been a huge fan of Sierra ever since they released their debut EP and full length album both back in 2013. Both records showed a band with keen eye for melody and heavy Doomed Out Stoner Sounds.

Sierra have toured quite heavily over the last few years and that's seen the band adapt a heavier Progressive Sound that's firmly rooted in the 70s. Though they still know how to play a hard rocking modern Doom/Stoner riff.

Sierra have just released their superb new album - The Mirror. Which sees the band carrying on the Progressive Rock sound they created on the acclaimed EP - 1972. Though this time Sierra have included elements of Hard Rock, Classic Rock and even Heavy Metal.

It's been a while since I caught up with Jason Taylor (Guitars/Vox) from Sierra and he's kindly agreed to do this interview. Where we discussed the making of the new album and their constant ongoing search for a Drummer to join the band. (Spinal Tap, eat your heart out...)

Hi guys. Thanks for doing this interview. How are things with you today.

Things are good man, thanks.

You’ve just released your superb new album – The Mirror. What can people expect from the album.

You can expect a completely fresh sounding record. Anyone into progressive music or heavier stuff will dig it and our fans are going to be stoked.

What is the main theme and story of the album.

This album has more of a personal vibe than our last release, 72, which was a full blown concept album with characters and all that. This one is more of a collection of songs with us talking about things like addiction, regret, mankind’s destructive tendencies, and daily frustrations. Mainly a look in the mirror for both Robbie and myself.

Who is releasing the album and what formats is the album being released upon.

This one is self released. At the moment just on CD and digital. We’ve been sitting on this one for way too long, and we had to get it out. I’m sure it will be released on vinyl eventually when it makes sense to do so. We have tours coming up and vinyl takes forever.

What influenced you when writing and recording the album.

Daily life. Being on the road more than ever before also. This is our first full length album since becoming a “touring band”, so I’m sure that influenced us on some level. We’ve been around the block a few times now. The one thing we set out to do though was make this a solid live album. Something that will slay live. We’re stoked to get back on the road and play this. There’s a few songs that have been in our live set for a while now, but playing it front to back is going to be great.

Was recording the album an easy or hard experience.
This was actually the best experience we’ve had recording. It was just Robbie, Phillip, and myself in the studio. We were super prepared and laid it down fast. We had more time to be creative at the Jam Room, which is my favourite place in the world.

What I admire about your new album is how you’ve took the progressive themes of your last release and merged it with the some classic heavy rock/metal sounds. Is that a fair assumption to make.

For sure. We’re huge prog nerds, so the progressiveness will always be there.

You’re working with Philip Cope (Kylesa) on this record again. Was that an easy decision to work with Philip. Did you have discussion in working with somebody else to record the album.

We’ve done every album with Phil. We’ve had a few people say they’d want to record us, but we always knew we’d go back to the Jam Room. They care about us there, and Phil is like a member of the band at this point. We will continue to record there.

Does Philip or anyone else from Kylesa make appearances on your new album.

There’s one or two Phil screams in there.

Will you be promoting and touring this album heavily. Or will you just be focusing on gigs closer to home.

We plan tour as much a possible. We have a tour with Irata at the end of April which hits the east coast of the USA. We know we will be out on the road in the summer also, and if it all comes through it’s going to be a killer bill.

What’s the deal with you guys and drummers

We haven’t found the right guy yet to commit full time. Its getting very Spinal Tap at this point. We either find a guy with the chops, but wrong attitude, or has the chops and can’t hold their booze, or decide that they can’t tour last minute because of their job.

We are always ready to go with somebody for when a tour comes up. Ky Anto has always come through for us, and we have some great dudes who can fill in whenever we need.

We would love to find the right person though. If you think you have the chops, quit your day job, move to Kitchener, get a temp job, and sleep on our couch. 

The album cover is very cool indeed. What’s the story behind the album cover. Who designed it and how much input did you have into the final design.

Branko Vranic did the cover. He’s a local artist. He’s done some great work for our dudes in Hawkeyes.

I gave him a very small reference for what I wanted but then he took it a million miles further than what I had expected. We gave him the album to listen to and he came up with it. Its pretty obvious that he took inspiration from the song Falling.

The artwork on the inside is incredible too. Definitely want to get posters made of it.

You guys are from Canada which is provided a ton of great bands for the Doom/Stoner Metal community to fully appreciate. What’s the scene currently like over there. Do you have an active scene where you can perform on a regular basis.

There’s some great bands here for sure. In terms of stoner/doom stuff locally we have the mighty Hawkeyes, who we share a jam space with. Those guys are our blood brothers. In Toronto, which is just down the road, you’ve got some great bands like Ol’ Time Moonshine and Low Orbit. I’m a huge fan of Mountain Dust too which has some ex-Kitchener members but are based out of Montreal now.

We started out by playing house shows in town almost every other weekend. Now we try to tour more than just doing one off shows. Its always great ending a tour with a homecoming show, which will happen on the Irata tour at the end of the month.

Thanks for doing this interview. Before you go do you have anything to say to your fans. Best of luck with the new album.

We’ll see you on the road soon. Check out The Mirror, and tell your drummer friends about us.

Words by Steve Howe and Jason Taylor

Thanks to Jason for doing this interview. You can buy The Mirror on CD/DD via BandCamp now.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Sierra - The Mirror (Album Review)

Release date: April 06^th 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

The Mirror – Tracklisting

1 About The World

2 Falling

3 Out Of Parts

4 Remember

5 In Circles

6 Queenslip

7 The Last Time

8 The Mirror

9 Rainbow's End

Members

Jason - Guitar/Vox

Robbie - Bass

Review

Canadian Prog Stoner Rockers Sierra new album, The Mirror, carries on the 70s sounding vibe of their last EP – 72 and brings in a more progressive and experimental psychedelic sound. You can still feel and hear the sounds from their earlier releases but this album definitely sees Sierra playing a more confident 70s Progressive and Hard Rock sound.

Opening track – About The World – is a semi-acoustic psychedelic number that has an eerie modern day Opeth feel to it. Jason’s vocals even feel they were influenced by Mikael Åkerfeldt. The lyrics have have a more trippy and emotional feel compared to their previous songs. It’s quite an uplifting number and proves that Sierra have added a more dramatic flair to their music.

Second track – Falling – is a more heavier affair with the heavy Doom/Stoner sounds playing a fine balance between Psychedelic Stoner Rock and 70s Progressive Hard Rock. The instrumental work is first rate with Jason’s guitars adding elements of classic sounding Hard Rock/Heavy Metal riffs. Robbie’s bass adds a thumping rhythm and provides a subtle heavy backdrop that holds everything together. I don’t know if it’s me but I can definitely hear traces of NWOBHM on this track and throughout the album.

Sierra may have a vintage sound on this album but they do offer many moments of modern sounding Doom/Stoner Metal vibes that allows The Mirror to breathe and grow naturally.

Songs such as Out Of Parts, Remember, In Circles, Queenslip, The Mirror and Rainbow’s End are the other standout tracks on the album. As Sierra expand their hybrid Progressive/Stoner Rock sound even further with the focus more on melody than pure aggression. Maybe some people will complain that the album isn’t loud or heavy enough. I advise those folks to listen to this album again as Sierra have created a highly intelligent and quite angry album at times.

The lyrics seem more reflective and more personal compared to Sierra’s previous releases. The best part of the album for myself is the different genres of music Sierra have included on the album. Plus the band have the balls to play a high amount of guitar solos on the album. Maybe taking influence from the guitar riff geniuses over the last 40 years. So be prepared for over-the-top guitar solo riff-wizardry on this album.

The Mirror sounds excellent and that’s perhaps down to Sierra teaming up with Philip Cope of Kylesa fame to record this album. As this album sounds impressive from the start. Sierra have worked with Philip with all of their records to date and this is perhaps the best they have ever sounded.

Sierra have delivered the goods with this album. The Mirror has everything that a genuine Hard Rock/Heavy Metal fan could possibly want. If this is your first time listening to Sierra then this album is the best place to start. If you’re a long time fan of the band like myself then this album is going to blow your mind.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Sierra for the promo. The Mirror will be available to buy on CD/DD from April 06^th 2018.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

USA Tour News - Sierra First Headlining USA Tour

Canadian Progressive Doom/Stoner Rockers - SIERRA - have just announced their first ever USA Headlining tour with support from Witches Of God. More details below.

We are thrilled to announce our first ever HEADLINING North American tour this summer! Can’t wait to get back on the road. Our blood brothers from Los Angeles, Witches Of God, will be joining us on their first tour.

Thank to David Paul Seymour for the rad poster
See you all on the road!

Sat 6/23 - Frederick, MD The †maryland DOOM† Fest (Sierra only)
Sat 6/24 - Frederick, MD The †maryland DOOM† Fest (Witches of God only)
Mon 6/26 - St. Louis, MO - Fubar
Tue 6/27 - Wichita, KS - The Elbow Room
Wed 6/28 - Amarillo TX - Leftwoods
Thu 6/29 - Flagstaff, AZ - Green Room
Tue 7/4 - San Diego, CA - Brick by Brick
Wed 7/5 - Sacramento, CA - Starlite Lounge
Thu 7/6 - Los Angeles, CA - Airliner - Satanic Temple of LA (Witches of God only)
Fri 7/7 - Fresno, CA - Tioga Sequoia Brewing
Sat 7/8 - Yreka, CA - The Music Hall
Sun 7/9 - Seattle, WA - Funhouse
Tue 7/11 - Portland, OR - Kelly's Olympian
Wed 7/12 - Boise, ID - Shredder
Thu 7/13 - CO Springs, CO - Black Sheep
Fri 7/14 - Denver, CO - Moon Room
Sat 7/15 - Kearney, NE - Gillies Live
Sun 7/16 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews
Mon 7/17 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room
Wed 7/19 - Detroit- Small's
Thu 7/20 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's Music Joint
Fri 7/21 - Huntington WV - V Club
Sat 7/22 - Philadelphia, PA - Fire
Sun 7/23 - Pittsburgh, PA - Howlers
Tue 7/25 - Brooklyn, NYC - Bar Matchless
Wed 7/26 - Somerville MA - PA's Lounge
Sat 7/29 - Montreal QC Piranha
Fri 8/4 - Brantford, ON - Bramsterdam
Sat 8/5 - Waterloo, ON - Starlight

SIERRA Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Witches Of God Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

SIERRA - 72 (EP Review)

Release date: March 04th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

72 – Tracklisting

I) Prologue 1972

II) Dead or Dreaming

III) Seventies Pigs

IV) Agatha

V) Black Fin

VI) To Hear You

VII) She Waits

Band Members:

Jason Taylor - Vocals, Guitars

Robbie Carvalho - Bass, Guitars, Piano

Review:

Sierra's new EP – 72 – sees the band move away from the sound they created on their acclaimed debut album, P-Slip released back in 2013. The Stoner Metal vibes have been replaced by an almost operatic style prog rock sound.

Truth be told I heard this EP months ago as Jason kindly provided me with a copy to listen to. I actually met Jason last year in person and he told me what this EP was about and I was shocked as the concept of the EP is based on a true story. I'll let the PR sheet info tell you what the EP is all about:

“72 tells the story of a murder that took place in their hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario back in the 1970s.

The concept is based on a true story, which was told to vocalist/guitarist Jason Taylor. A man, now in his sixties, told Jason about how his girlfriend was taken and murdered by a group of men on her sixteenth birthday. Unfortunately, he was the last person seen with her alive, and he was accused and harassed by the town and police for a solid year. It wasn't until one of the men killed himself and in a suicide note admitted what he had done that he was cleared of all charges.”

That's pretty much how Jason explained the concept of the EP last year. I was thinking at the time this is going to be an awesome record or it could be an overblown mess. Though I'm happy to report 72 is an excellent record. It sees Sierra create a heavy and monolithic prog-rock odyssey which draws influences from Opeth, Pink Floyd and even The Who. Jason's vocals are reminiscent of Mikael Åkerfeldt at times.

The instrumental work is superb through-out as Sierra hold your attention with finely tuned prog riffs. Some people will miss the Stoner sounds of P-Slip but even that album had moments of Prog Rock on some of the songs.

With the EP based on a disturbing and bleak subject matter, Sierra create a heavy doom and gloom atmosphere even on the quieter acoustic parts. It's a challenging listen but one that richly rewards you for your time and patience spent listening to the record. Jason told me some bold plans about this EP and how he wants to perform it live. Just like some of the legendary bands that influenced Sierra when recording this EP. I hope he manages to pull it off and someone manages to record the event. As if this EP is performed live in it's entirety then that will be something special.

Anyway, I digress. 72 is a masterclass of Prog Rock that you should all check out now especially if you're new to the heavy prog sounds of SIERRA. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jason for the CD to review and Earsplit PR for the promo. 72 is available to buy on CD/DD now.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp