SautruS - Reed: Chapter One (2014)
SautruS' first full album (following up
2012's Kuelmaggah Mysticism: The Prologue) continues both
their fondness for subtitles and their hard 'n' fuzzy stoner rock
stompage with flying colors; they even have Part 2 of a song they
began on that introductory EP, which is a very good sign that they'll
be taking their work on things to come quite seriously. Who knows
how they'll connect this album to the next one?
Take distinctive drumming, guitar-work
that manages both the noodly and heavy-slab side of things, vocals
that sound as though they're being channeled from restless spirits,
and bass with the power to make your walls hum, and you've got
yourself the primary elements of Reed.
About the only thing likely to make stoner rockers uneasy on the
album is the presence of a track titled “Dumbledore”; just tell
yourself something like 'It might mean something in Polish,' and
it'll slip by easy, since it's just under a minute-and-a-half of
instrumental atmospherics.
Right
after that one, though, they launch into “Iomi Iomi”, and while
that almost certainly actually does translate to a non-wizardy
wording in the band's native tongue, it's also something to make
staunch Sabbath-worshippers smile (something that's true of the whole
album, come to think of it). They've got their own character, mixing
influences from doom, desert, and straight-up stoner rock, with the
groove riffs landing heavy and true when they're deployed. Just as
often as they let those riffs growl, though, they've got some
sufficiently-gritty moments of sweeter melody, and SautruS' balancing
of the two lets them get to some tricky and complex places in their
songs.
It's a
strong album, with plenty of stuff that'll stick in your head for
days after hearing it, and the right kind of energy to be played over
and over again as you get familiar with its ins and outs. The group
is planning a vinyl release in September (though as with every
release, there's some wiggle room for unexpected pressing issues), so
keep your ears tuned for further developments on that front. Of
course, you could also go ahead and pick up a digital download over
at their BandCamp, if you happen to be the impatient type. Either
way, give these guys a listen, and expect big things from them.
~
Gabriel
For
Fans Of; Jess And The Ancient Ones, Blood Ceremony, Funeral Horse,
Wicked Lady, Saint Vitus
~
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