Various Artists - Deep Seven Vol I (Album Review)

Release Date: December 06th 2024. Record Label: Electric Witch Mountain Recordongs. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

DEEP SEVEN Vol I - Track Listing:

1.PALM DESERT Elegy Of The Past 09:22

2.MOUNTAIN OF MISERY Hollow Water 05:36

3.SOLAR TRIP Blueshift 06:18

4.SPACESLUG Lost In The Tide 07:36

5.GOZD Disguise The Emptiness 06:22

6.O.D.R.A Breslau Babilon 05:15

7.SEALESS Fading Away 04:30

Review

Deep Seven Vol I is a compilation album featuring perhaps the best bands from the Polish Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal scenes with heavyweights such as Palm Desert, Mountain Of Misery, Solar Trip. Spaceslug, GOZD, O.D.R.A and Sealess all perform tracks of new material that explores the whole underground scene that Poland has given to the world over the last decade or so.

The album is a stunning collection of outstanding tracks with heavy Psychedelic passages high on the agenda and subversive Sludgy grooves that have a thrilling dynamic to them with Palm Desert, Mountain Of Misery and Spaceslug being personal favourite bands of mine. Though, I have to say the tracks that impressed me the most were from Solar Trip, GOZD and Sealess which was a very cool surprise. I've only heard these bands in passing but their songs were technically impressive throughout with stunning musical melodies that have an air of classic Doom and Stoner passages to them.

We all know what Palm Desert, Mountain Of Misery and Spaceslug are capable of with their trademark heavy cosmic sounds which is no different here. Palm Desert offers a dreamlike Post-Rock sound with Elegy Of The Past  that’s topped off with a muscular Post-Sludge atmosphere with a trippy Shoegaze aspect to the track. 

Mountain Of Misery’s track Hollow Water could have easily come off their acclaimed two albums In Roundness and The Land. This has a classic KYUSS and FU MANCHU based structure at times where the world of Desert Rock is given a Sludge Rock makeover. The levels of FUZZ is quite intense with the vocals being more Gloom based in places. The instrumental sounds have a rich level of detail within the Progressive flow that Mountain Of Misery delivers on the later stages of the track.

Solar Trip’s track Blueshift has a desolate Space Rock tone with minimal Electronic and Synth effects that expands into a heavier Desert/Stoner Rock tone. The long drawn out Droned textures is a cool deft touch before Solar Trip delivers a swirling vortex of Post-Rock and Post-Stoner energy which builds upto a classic style of subtle instrumental freakout passages and clever guitar solos that leave you wanting to hear more.

The next track Lost In The Tide from the mighty Spaceslug is perhaps the main draw for most people and you can’t blame them. As the band are once again delivering beautifully played and wonderfully constructed Cosmic Doom sounds that offer a monolithic sound that most bands cannot reach. The ethereal vocals are represented here with Spaceslug playing a more emotionally charged and abstract style of music with a rich Progressive Sludge Rock sound becoming quite intense along the way. 

The final part of the album features music from bands I’ve haven’t had much experience with as mentioned previously but I have to give GOZD, O.D.R.A and Sealess credit for impressing me with their individual offerings. As they offer their own highly original style of music that ventures further into Space Rock and Post-Doom territory with deep levels of Ambient surroundings especially with GOZD’s stunning track Disguise The Emptiness.

O.D.R.A is more of a full on Doom/Sludge Metal number with moments of Industrial paranoia within their excellent track Breslau Babilon. I can hear influences from acts such as AUTHOR & PUNISHER at times within this track with a familiar sludgy undergroove once again providing a different creative narrative that Deep Seven Vol I continuously provides.

The final track Fading Away from Sealess is more of a sullen Post-Rock and Post-Grunge entity and is the most quiet and restrictive offerings which allows Deep Seven Vol I to close the album with a confident Ambient delivery and heartwarming vocals that once again has a different contrast to the other tracks on the album.

Deep Seven Vol I is a record showcasing the finest talents from the Polish Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal scene. I would have loved some other big hitters from the Polish underground scene to be involved such as DOPELORD or SUNNATA but maybe that could happen with future volumes of the series. However, as the recent Elephant Tree and Lowrider compilation album proved, compilation albums done right can be considered as Album Of The Year material and you can rank Deep Seven Vol I as one of those great albums deserving of that accolade.

Words by Steve Howe

Deep Seven Vol I is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Electric Witch Mountain Recordings.

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Spaceslug - Out Of Water (EP Review)

Release Date: May 03rd 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Out Of Water - Tracklisting

1.Tears Of Antimatter 06:20

2.Arise The Sun 08:36

3.Out Of Water 05:49

4.Delusions 05:30

5.In Serenity 05:48

Band Members

Bartosz Janik - guitars, vocals

Jan Rutka - bass, vocals

Kamil Ziółkowski - drums, vocals

Review

Out Of Water is the new EP from Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metallers Spaceslug and it’s a record that offers thirty two minutes of trippy and pure Cosmic Doom heaviness from one of the most impressive and brilliantly creative bands from the underground scene. This time round Spaceslug continues the journey last heard on their 2021 release Memorial by blending this with the world-weary mysticism of their earlier albums.

The EP sees Spaceslug combining a wealth of different sounding vocals from all three members all vying for lead vocalist slot. The sound and journey of Out Of Water is one of despair and progressive heaviness which Spaceslug are absolute masters at. Heavy sludgy guitars have been given a slightly Post-Rock/Post-Metallic sound with the Progressive energy of Bartosz guitars allowing Jan and Kamil to conjure up a more gloomy and psychedelic sound on Bass and Drums respectively.

Spaceslug has written some spellbinding lyrics that gives Out Of Water a wholly driven narrative structure especially on the first two opening tracks of Tears Of Antimatter and Arise The Sun. There’s some similar themes and sounds on drummer Kamil's recent studio project Mountain Of Misery but with Spaceslug playing with a more bleak and destructive sound.

The EP sees Spaceslug become more thoughtful and reflective within their lyrics and even using some cinematic sounding Post-Rock movements on the later stages of the EP on tracks such as Out Of Water and Delusions. 

Out Of Water is a brilliant mix of harsh, ice-cold and progressive grooves that once again allows Spaceslug to bridge the gap between Psychedelic Stoner Metal and Cosmic Doom Metal for a refreshing style of music that only they can deliver. 

Spacrslug have once again delivered the goods and released an outstanding EP that takes their music to dramatic new heights which their dedicated fan-base will no doubt listen to time and time again. Sublime. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

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Spaceslug - Memorial (Album Review)

Release Date: December 10th 2021. Record Label: BSFD Records. Format: DD/CD/Vinyl

Memorial  - Tracklisting

1.Into The Soil 00:52

2.Follow This Land 05:10

3.Spring Of The Abyss 09:23

4.In The Hiatus Fall 07:13

5.Memorial 05:05

6.Lost Undone 06:10

7.Of Trees And Fire 08:24

8.At The Edge Of Melting Point 03:51

Members

Bartosz Janik - guitars, synths, vocals

Jan Rutka - bass, vocals

Kamil Ziółkowski - drums, vocals

Review

Memorial is the fourth album from Progressive Doom/Space/Stoner Metallers Spaceslug and sees the band joining the bleak mystical sounds of their last few releases with their earlier albums Psychedelic Space Rock outlook. The album is a major return to form after the bleakness of 2018’s Eye The Tide. An album that I love now but struggled initially at first. However, no such issues with Memorial. As Spaceslug are bang on point doing what they do best.

Perhaps considered the “Mastodon” of the famed Polish Doom/Stoner Metal Scene well I least consider them as this. Memorial definitely has a certain “Crack The Skye” flavour with the intricate progressive melodies held on the album. There is a real soulful identity to this album and it also contains that “magical” Space Rock rhythms that Spaceslug are known for.

The album equally balances the uplifting grooves and the darker progressive Sludgy and Gloomy based Psychedelic Doom riffs which you get a proper taste of in the excellent few songs of: Into The Soil, Follow This Land and Spring Of The Abyss. The vocals are stunning and you can feel real emotional depth to the vocals and lyrics contained on this album. 

The Psychedelic Cosmic vibes of the album may be considered the true “engine” of this album but the vocals are the true “heart and soul” of this release. Spaceslug moves effortlessly from different styles of modern sounding Psych Doom/Stoner Metal with each song. The album has a real Ambient and Post-Rock flow which you can hear on Spring Of The Abyss, In The Hiatus Fall and Memorial.

The later stages of the album may contain the heaviest and gloomiest moments on the record but end this album on a real high. Exquisite vocal melodies rule supreme throughout the entire record and when the harsher growls do appear they’re equally moving as the clean ones.

Memorial is backed up by first rate production values which isn’t surprising since all of Spaceslug’s releases sound excellent. 

Spaceslug are the best band from the Polish Doom/Stoner Metal scene and Memorial proves that fact time and time again. This is my favourite album from Spaceslug and without doubt is one of the best Doom/Stoner Metal releases of the year. 

WOW. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Memorial is available to buy now on DD. CD in early Jan 2022 and Vinyl in Summer 2022.

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Spaceslug - Eye The Tide (Album Review)

Release date: July 20^th 2018. Label: BSFD Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Eye The Tide – Tracklisting

Obsolith

Spaced by One

Eternal Monuments

Words Like Stones

Vialys part I & II

I, The Tide

Members

Bartosz Janik – Guitar, Vocal

Jan Rutka – Bass, Vocal

Kamil Ziólkowski – Drums, Vocal

The Lowdown

They say that there is no rest for the wicked and that saying can equally be true for Spaceslug. As Spaceslug return with their third album - Eye The Tide. This is their third record within the last eighteen months. Following their acclaimed second album - Time Travel Dilemma and recent EP - Mountains & Reminiscence,

Spaceslug have decided to release their heaviest and bleakest album to date. Their past albums were full of brutally heavy Psychedelic Doom/Stoner sounds. However, Eye The Tide sees Spaceslug opt for a gloomier Post-Metal sound and even sees the band play an almost Blackened Doom Metal style of music. Though more about that later.

Opening track - Obsolith - is the type of song that Spaceslug excel at. Swirling psychedelic noises merged against Ambient and Post-Rock progressive elements. The familiar post-doom/stoner and spaced out vibes is still highly original and intriguing. The whole structure of the song has a more drone based quality and this allows Spaceslug to create a more reflective and personal album.

Second song - Spaced By One - could have easily been included on their last album. As the song has the same light/heavy progressive parts. This is perhaps where you begin to feel Spaceslug's overall bleak vision of the album. As the lyrics, vocals and music can be emotionally cold and distant compared to their previous albums. Spaceslug still manage to create a highly complex and progressive sound that will be eerie familiar to longtime fans of the band.

Third track - Eternal Monuments - opens with a long drawn out and highly volatile Ambient/Doom/Drone sound with different layers of noise being added for dramatic effect. The sludge/stoner riffs slowly appear but Spaceslug yet again experiment with their trademark sound. The atmosphere of the album becomes heavier and even more depressing as time passes by. The instrumental work is simply superb though the vocals feel underwhelming on this song. This perhaps would have worked better as an instrumental song.

The next song is perhaps where long-time fans will find the most issue with. As the next song - Words Like Stones - sees Spaceslug adapt a more blackened doom approach to their music. The song opens with their familiar Psych Doom/Stoner hybrid sound before the atmosphere becomes pitch-black with the blackened doom/sludge metal sounds becoming increasingly violent. The vocals are a mixture of clean vocals and pitch black hardcore growls. Spaceslug take influence from Neurosis and Cult Of Luna on this song and they do deserve credit for trying something different. The fast-paced and almost post-black metal sounding guitar riffs could give a clear indication what Spaceslug's music may sound in the future.

This may seem I'm not a huge fan of this song. Far from it. I think this maybe Spaceslug's best song they've written to date. Though long-time fans may find this song very overwhelming at fist. As it's a different sounding Spaceslug.

The final two songs - Vialys Parts I & II and The Tide - sees the band return to their classic sound but with a more grunge based approach. These two songs show you why Spaceslug are highly regarded within the Doom/Stoner Metal community. As the mood can only be described as magical with the progressive doom/stoner vibes even allowing for some cool sounding post-rock moments.

Spaceslug end up delivering their boldest and most creative album to date. I still prefer Time Travel Dilemma to this album. However that hasn’t stopped Spaceslug from delivering an ummissable and must-have album.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Richard at Sheltered Life PR and Jadd at Red Lead Media for the promo. Eye The Tide will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via BSFD Records from July 20th 2018.

Pre-orders will be available soon from Spaceslug's BandCamp Page

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Spaceslug - Time Travel Dilemma (Album Review)

Release date: February 17th 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Time Travel Dilemma – Tracklisting

1.Osiris 06:56
2.Living The Eternal Now 08:40
3.The Great Pylon Collider 05:41
4.Parahorizon 10:47
5.What Falls Is Fallen 01:56
6.Time Travel Dilemma 10:07

Band Members:

Bartosz Janik - Guitars/Vocals

Jan Rutka - Bass/Vocals

Kamil Ziółkowski - Drums/Vocals

Review

Spaceslug's new album - Time Travel Dilemma - is a worthy follow-up to last year's debut album. This time Spaceslug have become heavier and spaced out as result. Opening track - Osiris - is a song that blends Doom, Stoner and Psych riffs with the band adding a more progressive feel.

Parts Monster Magnet and Sleep style sonic vibrations allow the band to create their own style of spaced out sounds. Expect to hear impressive guitar solos towards the end of the song with ambient noises giving the album a more epic feel compared to their debut album. The vocals from Bartosz - drift in and out at different times as Spaceslug let their music be in full command.

Second track - Living The Eternal Now - opens with a more laid back style of Psych/Stoner Rock with the mood verging being one of Post-Rock. Though Spaceslug return to their normal heavy ways with loud Doom/Stoner riffs making their appearance known. The dual vocals offer a different approach as they have an almost Light vs Dark vibe around them. The voiceover included in the song gives it a more emotional feel. It sounds very familiar to the voiceover that appeared on Yob's last album. I could be wrong though.

Anyway Spaceslug continue with their sci-fi based progressive journey with the third track - The Great Pylon Collider - and it's a straight up Doom/Stoner Rock song that shows Spaceslug doing what they do best. Creating heavy riffs with a cool sludge groove. The vocals have a slight grunge influence around them. Fourth track - Parahorizon - is my fave track off the album as it's an epic eleven minute song with Spaceslug merging Ambient Post-Rock sounds with their trademark Doom/Psych/Stoner riffs. It's a very calming and soothing song to begin with the slowly played psych riffs but as before, the band always return to their heavier and more destructive ways.

The final two tracks - What Falls Is Fallen and Time Travel Dilemma - offer twelve final minutes before Spaceslug have to move onto another time or dimension. What Falls Is Fallen is a very short track running under two minutes or so. Spaceslug manage to explore the realm of Electronica with hints of Psych Stoner appearing. I normally dismiss these short songs as they're mainly used to fill in blank space. Not this time as the band create a haunting song that really adds to the whole experience of the album.

The final song is Time Travel Dilemma. Another ten minute plus offering with the band starting with a keyboard/electronica driven sound. The vocals have a more restrained feel before the heavy sounds appear at the right time. The song has different moments of psych rock spliced among the familiar Doom/Stoner sounds. Time Travel Dilemma is superbly produced throughout. Spaceslug deserve credit for creating such a vast universe on this great album.

Time Travel Dilemma is a magnificent album. What more can be said, apart from you need this album.

Words by Steve Howe

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Spaceslug - Lemanis (Album Review)

Release date: Feb 06^th 2016. Label: Oak Island Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Lemanis – Tracklisting

1.Proton Lander 07:44

2.Hypermountain 05:12

3.Supermassive 08:39

4.Galectelion 05:28

5.Grand Orbiter 05:50

6.Quintessence 01:35

7.Lemanis 09:16

Band Members

Bartosz Janik - guitar, vocals

Jan Rutka - bass, vocals

Kamil Ziółkowski - drums, vocals

Review

With Spaceslug's second full length album – Time Travel Dilemma – being released very soon. Feb 24^th 2017 to be precise. I've decided to review their debut album – Lemanis – which came out in Feb 2016. I originally listened to this album last year but I've just never had the time to review the album in full. UNTIL NOW!!!

Spaceslug has already wowed fans and critics within the Doom/Stoner Metal community and it's not hard to see why. Spaceslug weave a magical blend of Sabbathian Spaced Out Doom matched with Kyuss style Stoner riffs. Though that doesn't stop the band creating their own fresh sound on Lemanis. Opening track – Proton Leader – is a deliberately slow effort that allows the band to draw the audience in with heavy drone based riffs.

For a debut album this is remarkably well produced with the band impressing from the start. Other great tracks to check out are: Hypermountain, Supermassive, Grand Orbiter and the epic title track – Lemanis. Spaceslug obviously dig their cosmic spaced out sounds throughout the album. Look at the glorious album cover and crazy song titles. Spaceslug perfectly capture the spaced-out doom laiden Astronaut style sound that's slowly starting to make a real presence within the Doom/Stoner Metal scene over the last few years.

All of the members within Spaceslug provide vocals as the songs feel quite different to each other with both the vocal delivery and cosmic riffs. If you're new to Spaceslug, check out Lemanis before their new album is released. As I have a feeling that Time Travel Dilemma is only going to enhance Spaceslug's reputation even more.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

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