Wall - Brick By Brick (Album Review)

Release Date: August 30th 2024. Record Label: APF Records. Formats: CD/DD

Brick By Brick: Tracklisting

1.Wrath Of The Serpent

2.Sonic Mass

3.Obsidian

4.Legion 04:42

5.Nineteen

6.Avalanche

7.Masking My Contempt 02:26

8.The Tusk

9.Speedfreak

10.Falling From The Edge Of Nowhere

11.Cirrhosis

12.Filthy Kebab On A Gut Full Of Lager

13.Electric Funeral

Members

Ryan Cole - Guitars, Bass

Elliot Cole - Drums & Percussion

Review

Instrumental Sludge/Stoner Metallers Wall debut album Brick By Brick isn’t the album that I originally expected. As I was expecting an action packed and very direct style of Instrumental Stoner Rock/Metal. However, Wall plays a bleak and sombre style of Sludge/Stoner Metal that likes to reside in the darker side of Instrumental passages with the band taking cues from bands such as BONGRIPPER and Clouds Taste Satanic throughout the whole record.

Wall is the project featuring Ryan Cole and Elliot Cole from highly influential UK Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers DESERT STORM. And this is about as far from DESERT STORM you can actually be with Wall being a great band within their own right.

The majority of these tracks have been released before by the band on previous releases but they feel highly different to the original releases. These versions feel darker and have a different creative energy which matches the journey of the whole album. So even though you may have heard these tracks before, please think again as Brick By Brick offers a different take from the original EP’s.

Wall are influenced by acts such as Karma To Burn and Black Sabbath with the act providing two stunning covers of Nineteen and Electric Funeral from each band within this album. The other eleven tracks sees Wall play harsh blends of Doomed Out and Down Tuned passages of Sludge Metal with fast-paced aggressive edges appearing within the excellent opening tracks of Wrath Of The Serpent and Sonic Mass.

There’s some twisted SONIC distortion within Sonic Mass that’s merged with classic sounding SABBATHIAN colossal style DOOM with a twisted Psychedelic Sludge delivery. Wall even shows deft creative influences such as High On Fire, Torche and Kylesa on this track alone which they fully expand into their own creative universe throughout the album.

The record can also be quite progressive and forward thinking whilst taking daring risks with its almost industrial based sound on tracks such as Obsidian, Legion, Avalanche and Masking My Contempt within the first half of the album. Wall has moments of Alt Rock/Metal running through different stages of the record which still retains a sense of gloomy reality which is down to the excellent stripped back production values.

Wall continue to explore their dark creative persona even further within the second half of the album with melodic strands of gloomy Industrial Sludge sounds having a bolder approach with heavy instrumental melodies that last for ages in some cases which is actually one of the albums main strengths.

Other standout tracks are The Tusk, Speadfreak, Falling From The Edge Of Nowhere and Filthy Kebab And A Gut Full Of Lager where moments of dark comedic humour appear to show quite a fun side to Wall.

As I said earlier within the review, Wall pay homage to their musical heroes Karma To Burn and Black Sabbath with outstanding covers of K2B’s track Nineteen and Black Sabbath’s track Electric Funeral with vocals provided by their good pal Dave Oglesby. Both tracks don’t stray to far from the original but they add their own Sludgy dark spin on these tracks to give them both a slightly different feel.

Brick By Brick is a superbly entertaining record that actually does something different and exciting with the Instrumental Sludge/Stoner Metal format. With a dark creative take on the Instrumental take on that genre, Brick By Brick is going to be remembered for being one of the standout Instrumental Metal albums released this year.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to For The Lost for the promo.

Brick By Brick will be available to buy on CD/DD via APF Records on Friday August 30th 2024.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Instrumental Sludge/Stoner Metallers WALL Announce New Album BRICK BY BRICK

WALL - An instrumental 2-piece heavy fucking riff machine, built brick by brick & riff by riff by twin brothers and Desert Storm members Ryan & Elliot Cole.

Released on 30th August via APF Records (Desert Storm, Video Nasties, Barbarian Hermit), their debut album ‘Brick by Brick’ is overflowing with unashamed Iommi-worshipping, instrumental, sludge/doom metal. With the band taking inspiration from the first 6 Black Sabbath albums as well as being influenced by the undisputed kings of instrumental stoner rock - the much missed Karma To Burn, drummer Elliot Cole comments on some of the other artists they were listening to at the time while writing the album,

“Torche, High on Fire, Elephant Tree, and The Sword were on heavy rotation a lot. I also was listening to a fair bit of Power Trip at the time too. But as well as the rock/metal stuff, we were listening to Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Radiohead which helped in a way with some of the more spacey & ambient sections on the album”

Like many recent projects WALL was born during lockdown with the two brothers living together in a small flat. With both of them furloughed, this left the duo with little else to do but write music to distract themselves from the boredom of being stuck at home.

Ryan wrote riffs on an unplugged Gibson SG, whilst Elliot tapped out the drum rhythms on his lap. The first time the twins heard how the songs would sound properly was when they were in the studio tracking their initial first two EPs, as they couldn't arrange a proper rehearsal due to restrictions.

While originally starting out as a side project, WALL began to evolve into a more serious proposition following shows at Bloodstock Open Air, Desertfest London, Masters of the Riff alongside shows with Discharge, Will Haven and European dates in Germany, Czech Rep & Slovakia.
Now following these shows and 2 Eps on APF Records, the next step for WALL is the release of their debut album 'Brick By Brick'. Recorded at Shonk studios / Warehouse Studios - Oxford, by Jimmy 'Evil' Hetherington & mastered by Tim Turan @ Turan Audio, ‘Brick By Brick’ is essential listening for any fan of slow, crushing riffs.

'Masking My Contempt’ is the 1st single to be shared from the album wth Elliot adding,

"We are really excited to release the debut album 'Brick by Brick' & 'Masking my contempt' is the first new piece of music in about 2 years (since the Wall vol.2 EP) The song 'Masking My Contempt' starts with a sample from an amusing scene, that is taken from a film we like called American Beauty. The scene is where Lester Burnham blackmails his boss for over a years salary. We have said for years that it would make a cool intro to a song, and to kick in with a big groovy riff after it. The title of the song is clearly taken from the sample, and the rest of the track was built around that first riff. 'Masking my Contempt' switches between a 6/8 and 4/4 time signature. There are only 3 riffs in the whole song, and some bluesy slide guitar overdubed...it's short and sweet and what we set out to achieve with this first single.”

Listen to the track now: 

‘Brick by Brick’ is available on CD and digitally the album can be pre-ordered now: https://apfrecords.co.uk/bands/wall

‘it’s clear that Wall are really fucking good’ – The Sleeping Shaman

‘a thunderous assault of pure doomy chugginess’ – Uber Rock

‘a guaranteed foot-stomper throughout thanks to its ballsy riffs and relentless rhythm’ – Distorted Sound

F.F.O - Black Sabbath, Karma To Burn, High on Fire, Desert Storm

Tracklisting:

1 – Wrath of the Serpent
2 – Sonic Mass
3 – Obsidian
4 – Legion
5 – Nineteen (Karma to Burn cover)
6 – Avalanche
7 – Masking My Contempt
8 – The Tusk
9 – Speedfreak
10 – Falling from the Edge of Nowhere
11 – Cirrhosis
12 – Filthy Doner Kebab on a Gut Full of Lager
13 – Electric Funeral (Black Sabbath cover)

Upcoming Shows

08.09.24 | UK | London | New Cross Inn

WALL are:

Ryan Cole - guitar
Elliot Cole - drums

Follow online:

https://linktr.ee/APFRecords
https://www.facebook.com/apfrecords
https://www.apfrecords.co.uk
https://wallbandrocks.bandcamp.com/album/brick-by-brick
https://www.facebook.com/wallukrock

Thanks to For The Lost for all of the details.

Wall - Vol. 2 (EP Review)

Release Date: July 30th 2021. Record Label: APF Records. Format: Cassette/DD/CD

Vol. 2 - Tracklisting

1.Avalanche 05:26

2.The Tusk 04:10

3.Speedfreak 03:32

4.Nineteen 04:07

5.Falling From The Edge Of Nowhere 01:18

Members

Ryan Cole - Guitar & Bass

Elliot Cole - Drums & Percussion

Review

Vol. 2 is the latest EP from Instrumental Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal Riffsters Wall which is made up by two of Oxford’s famous underground heroes Elliot and Ryan Cole. Elliot and Ryan are also part of DESERT STORM and THE GRAND MAL. Wall is the new project they formed during lockdown to put their creative spirits into. Vol 1 was released earlier this year to great acclaim including my own review.

Now they’re back with Vol.2 and it’s the same style of music that sees Wall flirst between Mastodon style Progressive Heaviness but with the Instrumental Addictive Sounds of KARMA TO BURN and Desert Storm. The band did ask their good friend Dave-O from The Grand Mal to perform vocals on their kick-ass cover of Blacki Sabbath classic Electric Funeral. However, this is all purely instrumental though the band do bring additional noise and slide guitar by Jimmy Hetherington.

Truth be told, this is a more subdued release compared to the previous EP. This EP sees Wall bring a more Psychedelic and Post-Metal vibe to their music especially on the stunning opening track - Avalanche - which has an early-Pelican feeling towards the end of the song.

Everything is still heavy and it’s good seeing Elliot and Ryan playing music they never get the chance to do with their other bands. I would love to see the guys release a Post-Doom/Post-Metal record in the future and maybe Wall will allow them to do just that.

Second song - The Tusk - opens with a glitchy inspired set of noises before bringing a thunderous “Mastodon” riff to the centre with a DIY Punk Production ethic moving things along. A song with many different parts across the field of Instrumental Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal. There is a lot of “Prog-Rock” wizardry on this track and it’s something else we haven’t heard from the band before. A lean, mean and aggressive song with some great homages to Thin Lizzy. 

Third song - Speedfreak - is a classic sounding Instrumental Stoner Metal song and that is quite punchy with its delivery of Psychedelic Stoner sounds maturing in the background of Classic Hard Rock and Modern day Doom/Sludge Metal. The song lives up to it’s name with this being one of the most fast-paced and catchiest tracks on the EP.

Fourth song - Nineteen - is a wonderful cover of Karma To Burn classic song and is dedicated to Will Mecum who sadly passed away earlier this year. Will become great friends and regular touring buddies of the entire Desert Storm family. I saw Desert Storm supporting Karma To Burn a couple times back in 2012 and 2014 and they were both brilliant gigs. I spoke to Will and the Desert Storm at both of these gigs. So I know this song means a lot to both Elliot and Ryan. I will admit this got to me too. I loved Karma To Burn and Wall do justice to this song where I can say “Will would have been proud of this song” and this ranks as the best cover version I’ve heard of Nineteen.

Finally, we have, Falling From The Edge Of Nowhere, a song that lasts under 80 seconds but what a cool song. More Americana based with Wall trying their hands at Acoustic Rock. They pull this off magnificently and the song feels about the right length to end the EP on an almighty finish.

Vol. 2  is another excellent release from Wall and shows that we need a full length record from them in the future. Let's hope Wall and APF Records have plans for that too.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to APF Records for the promo.

Tomb Of God is available to buy on CD/DD/Cassette from APF Records now.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Exclusive Premiere Of WALL Debut Self Titled EP

Release date: January 15th 2021. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD

WALL – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Wrath Of The Serpent
2.Sonic Mass
3.Obsidian
4.Legion
5.Electric Funeral

Members

Ryan Cole - Guitar & Bass
Elliot Cole - Drums & Percussion

Vocals on Electric Funeral by Dave Oglesby

The Lowdown

WALL is the new band from Ryan and Elliot Cole, better known as members of UK Sludge/Stoner Metal Royalty – Desert Storm. This project came was conceived during COVID-19 Lockdown and the guys trying to find a way of stopping the boredom setting in and having a musical output for their creative endeavours. So WALL was born.

You can read my review here.

The band will be releasing their self-titled debut EP this Friday via APF Records.

You can hear the EP in FULL thanks to APF Records and this exclusive premiere.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to APF Records for the promo. Wall Self-Titled EP will be available to buy on DD via APF Records from Jan 15th 2021.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

WALL - S/T (EP Review)

Release date: January 15th 2021. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD

WALL – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Wrath Of The Serpent
2.Sonic Mass
3.Obsidian
4.Legion
5.Electric Funeral

Members

Ryan Cole - Guitar & Bass
Elliot Cole - Drums & Percussion

Vocals on Electric Funeral by Dave Oglesby

Review

Wall is the new band from Ryan and Elliot Cole, better known as members of UK Sludge/Stoner Metal Royalty – Desert Storm. This project came was conceived during COVID-19 Lockdown and the guys trying to find a way of stopping the boredom setting in and having a musical output for their creative endeavours. So WALL was born.

Their debut self-titled EP is a heavy and aggressive affair which is made up of ideas and musical themes the guys have been involved in with projects such as Desert Storm and The Grand Mal. Though, this band and subsequent release is instrumental but the band have included a cover of Black Sabbath classic – Electric Funeral as well.

The EP is mighty fine slab of mostly Instrumental Sludge, Doom and Stoner Metal with the guys influenced more perhaps by their good pals KARMA TO BURN who they’ve toured with multiple times over the years. Wall bring a more psychedelic flair to their style of Instrumental Rock/Metal and offer a heavier Doom Metal sound on this release.

Whilst we’ve heard this style of music before, it’s good to see Ryan and Elliot venturing into the more Progressive side of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal and perhaps elements of Mastodon being added for that extra layer of Progressive Metal goodness.

The standout songs are perhaps: Wrath Of The Serpent, Sonic Mass and Obsidian. As they have the more interesting and creative ideas on the EP. Though 4th song – Legion - is n slouch either with some hard-hitting riffs leaving you wanting more.

The final song is the Black Sabbath cover of Electric Funeral where the guys are joined by Dave-O from The Grand Mal. This is a very good cover indeed and even though I’m starting to feel major “Black Sabbath Cover” fatigue with the endless covers that have been released already in 2020, this cover I have plenty of time for. As I’m a fan of Dave-O’s vocals and what he brings to the table. A highly confident performance where he manages to put his spin on things.

For a debut release, this EP is a mighty fine and superbly entertaining effort. The guys have said the following about WALL’s future.

“Wall was initially started as a covid lockdown project, but we’re up for touring and writing more for sure...we’ll what happens!’“

On this release alone, I’m hoping the guys continue with Wall and release more records. As they feel well suited to the world of Instrumental Sludge/Stoner Metal.

Overall, this is a release worth checking out and adding to your record collection if you’re a fan of bands such as Karma To Burn, Mastodon and I better say DESERT STORM as well….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to APF Records for the promo. Wall Self-Titled EP will be available to buy on DD via APF Records from Jan 15th 2021.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp