From Deep Space - Brunhilde (2013)
Named for a valkyrie, the debut album of one-man act
From Deep Space consists of one track, “A Bard's
Tale”. With medieval flavor so strong from the start, it's a
bit of a relief to find that it doesn't rely on lutes and
pan-flutes for instrumentation. While it does manifest some of the
melodiousness and focus on vocals that you might expect from
something drawing from ancient tales for inspiration, it's also
unabashed about blending those elements with modern touches.
From
Deep Space is currently based in California, and there's a fair
amount of that region's distinctive and fertile desert/stoner rock
evident in the song. For one, there's the expansive and
shape-shifting nature of the music, which is never content to settle
down in one place for too long. Whether it's introducing a new
instrument into the proceedings, shifting into a heavier or more
restrained mode, or the way the vocals are put to use, “A Bard's
Tale” achieves a genuine feeling of being an epic, with enough
twists and turns to draw the listener in and keep them interested in
how things will all turn in the end. And it's not an easy journey,
as things happen without warning, but add to the experience in ways
that, thinking back on how the song arrived there, seem only natural.
It's a real testament to the
capabilities, ambition, and willingness to push himself which belong
to Eli Davidson, the man behind the sound. While his performance on
all of the instruments is excellent, and while the sections in which
he steps back from the microphone to focus on putting some real
driving force behind them deserve loads of applause, it was his
vocals that really stood out the most to me. Managing to sound like
four different people is no easy trick, and sounding natural,
comfortable, and effective in each of those? Forget it! But Mr.
Davidson actually pulls it off, reaching into territory not usually
expected of stoner rock and reaping the rewards he deserves for such
an effort.
Brunhilde
is a damn fine debut, one which would be earning just as much kudos
if it had been released by a band of any size you'd care to pick.
Whether From Deep Space remains isolated in the wilds of California, or reaches out to some
similarly-minded artists for, say, a wild split or two, all
indicators point towards big things following in the wake of this
release. Get yourself a copy, get familiar with it, and prepare
yourself for more.
~
Gabriel
For
Fans Of; Merlin, Mammoth Storm, Uncle Acid, Albino Rhino, Wizard
Smoke
~
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