Sunday 2 June 2013

Sleestak - Book Of Hours - EP Review

Book Of Hours cover art

Sleestak is a Psychedelic Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Milwaukee, WI, USA


The members are:

Guitar/Vocals - Matt Schmitz
Drums - Marcus Bartell
Guitar - Brian Gresser
Bass - Dan Bell

Sleestak are a very much-respected band within the Sludge/Stoner Metal scene with their blend of psychedelic riffs blending intricate sci-fi based tales to the mix as well. I reviewed their excellent 2011 album rather favourably. Now two years later Sleestak are back with their excellent new EP – Book Of Hours

The EP features 5 new songs totalling 19 minutes in length. And if that is not enough, Sleestak included 3 live tracks from 2004 (37 minutes) from their excellent back catalogue. Though the sound quality varies for each track, it is always good to have extra tracks to rock out to.

There might not be any sign of the epic tracks the band are known for but it is cool to see Sleestak expanding their horizons. Though I do miss those epic tracks but when you have such superb songs as Seven Sorrows and Five Millions Years to Earth then I am willing to forgive them.

Book of Hours prove the band have lost none of their creative wonder. As it will take you to a different world or dimension for that matter. My fave track has to be Lone Wolf as lead vocalist feels like he is channelling energy from the legendary Johnny Cash. As his vocals have a distinct vibe from the legendary Man in Black. His vocals give the song a deeply unsettling vibe.

Sleestak treat us to 3 different versions of Lone Wolf – The original, Patriot Remix and Instrumental Version. All great versions in their own right. My favourite version has to be the Patriot Remix as it is a darker and refined version of the original track.

Overall – Book of Hours – is another outstanding collection of songs from one of the best bands within the US Sludge/Stoner Metal underground. If you want something dark and very psychedelic then this is the release for you. If you are a first time listener to Sleestak then I urge you to check out their previous releases. As most of them are available on Buy Now Download on BandCamp.

As you are seriously missing out here. No question!!! - Thank The Stoner/Sludge Metal Heavens for bands like Sleestak as there are not many bands like them currently around. Sleestak are true originals. Book of Hours only proves that point even more.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Thanks to the guys for sending me a promo to review. Much appreciated. Heck they even promised me a copy to review before they even recorded this. Now that is something else.

Anyway, Book of Hours is now available to buy from BandCamp.

Check This Great Band From The Links Below:

sleestakmusic.com
Facebook
ReverbNation
Twitter