Turtle Skull - Monoliths (Album Review)

Release date: August 28th 2020. Label: Art As Catharsis/Kozmik Artifactz. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Monoliths – Tracklisting

1.Leaves 06:58
2.Rabbit 04:01
3.Heartless Machine 06:59
4.Why Do You Ask? 06:54
5.Who Cares What You Think? 07:22
6.Halcyon 04:36
7.Apple Of Your Eye 06:40
8.The Clock Strikes Forever 11:42

Members

Tobia Blefari - Percussion (congas, rain stick, shaker, tambourine)
Julian Frese - Bass, piano, vocals
Dan Frizza - Synths
Charlie Gradon - Drums, vocals
Dean McLeod - Guitars, vocals

Review

Turtle Skull debut album released in 2018 was a favourite of mine when it was originally released with the bands unique style of Doom, Psych, Pop, Stoner, Sludge and Experimental Noises allowing the band to playing mostly to their strengths for their album to truly standout. Fast forward 2 years and the back with their even better follow-up with Monoliths.

The band continue with their almost dream-like style of Psychedelic Pop but merged with a heavier reliance and balance on Doom Metal, Sludge Rock and Stoner Metal for a more dramatic style of music with cinematic riffs appearing from the very start. The band aim for a much bigger sound on Monoliths and it works especially on the longer tracks such as Leaves, Heartless Machine, Why Do You Ask?, though they leave some of the best sounds and creative ideas for the bombastic final 12 minute track – The Clock Strikes Forever.

You can say that Turtle Skull draw influence from King Gizzard & The Lizzard Wizzard, Japanese Psychedelic Rock, SLEEP, Black Sabbath and even Elephant Tree in places. Though, this album is most definitely Turtle Skull’s chance to shine in the spotlight. Their use of different musical instruments set against a backdrop of heavy Doomed Out Riffs and spectacular Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves is what makes the album work for me. In essence, this album shouldn’t really work as it ultimately does. As there’s many different elements in this album that allow the listener to drift off into many different directions.

The vocals are nothing short of absolute perfection. The perfect harmonies from the 3 vocalists that are listed within Turtle Skull have shades of 60s/70s Psychedelic Rock and even Classic Rock running throughout the entire album. You could be treated to a beautiful vocal harmony and the band unleash a heavy blast of Doom Riffs such as on the stunning 2nd track – Rabbit.

The production on Monoliths is brilliantly put together with the band showing many different sides throughout this album and even the quieter parts are equally as good and just as dynamic as the heavier moments that will no doubt bring the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community to the Turtle Skull party.

Overall, Monoliths is multi-layered album bursting with different themes and ideas that will take time to fully understand but you will be treated to a different musical experience every time you listen to this wonderful and genuinely exciting album. This is one album you would be wise not to miss.

Words by Steve Howe

Monoliths is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Art As Catharsis (Australia) and Kozmik Artifactz (Europe).

Thanks to Art As Catharsis, All Noir PR and Turtle Skull for the promo.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Nebula Drag - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: May 17th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Nebula Drag – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Smiles 03:36

2.Creeps & Monsters 03:34

3.Sano 03:29

4.Change 04:15

5.I Can Not Explain 03:51

6.Lost Time 02:58

7.Brght Sunshine 03:24

8.So Low 05:07

9.Up & Down 03:18

10.Perfect Pair 03:26

Band Members:

Corey Quintana -Guitar/Vocals

Stephen Varns-Drums

Fuzzy Mike-Bass

Review:

Nebula Drag hail from San Diego and create a blend of heavy sludge/fuzz based rock/metal. It's very dirty at times with a sneering punk based attitude. Their debut album is packed full of different psychedelic noises and dirty lo-fi riffs.

Nebula Drag take influences from a wide range of different bands across the musical spectrum. Hard Rock, Classic Rock, Punk, Noise Rock and I'm sure I can detect a hint of Detroit 60s/70s Rock on second track – Creeps & Monsters. The band try their hand at different sounds on almost every song as each track sounds very different to each other.

Corey's vocals are firmly rooted in Punk Rock territory but with the band creating heavy sludge/stoner riffs this can be quite a dark album at times. Nebula Drag are primarily a Rock and Roll band it's just that their blend of Rock and Roll features heavy distorted moments of psychedelic sludge/stoner riffs. The songwriting on the album is first rate and the instrumental work is even better.. The tone of the entire album is very raw it actually works in the bands favour as this is how music is meant to be played and heard.

Great songs to check out are: Change, I Can Not Explain, So Low and Perfect Pair. Tracks that show what the band are really about. It's when Nebula Drag show their love for all things psychedelic you're treated to some spellbinding riffs.

All in all, Nebula Drag have released a superb debut album that I hope will find them a bigger audience within the Sludge/Stoner Rock community. As Nebula Drag have something special about them. Hopefully these guys will get signed by a cool record label and release this on vinyl. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp