Album Type:
Album
Date Released:
June 27th
2014
Label:
Self Released
Elixir Of
Lethe - track listing:
1.Elixir of Lethe
07:28
2.Qualm 12:15
3.Imageless 04:41
4.Amorphous 07:56
5.Ascent 13:41
Bio
Heterodox
are a gritty blend of heavy tones. Specializing in Heavy
Doom-Groovin' tunes. 3-piece band from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
Band Members
Luke Burns - Guitar,
Vocals
Floyd Pepper - Bass,
Vocals
Jared Green - Drums
Review:
Heterodox
is a band from New Zealand. Their debut album – Elixir of Lethe –
is a very hard album to describe. Parts Doom and Stoner Metal mixed
with a heavy progressive rock vibe holding everything together.
Elixir
of Lethe is one of those albums that you will enjoy from the very
first listen as Heterodox have delivered a stunning debut album
packed full of different ideas to entertain you with. The album does
have a slight Tool influence especially with the vocals are
concerned.
First
track – Elixir Of Lethe – start weaving their psychedelic magic
onto an unsuspecting audience as the band add different elements of
Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal at different stages of their music. The
song starts very heavy before slowing down to a soothing hard rock
riff with storming lead vocals from Luke come into play. The
instrumental work features some beautifully played heavy riffs
towards the end of the track.
Heterodox
2nd song – Qualm - is probably my fave track on the album as it
where the album fully comes to life with the band laying down more
riffs that are impressive that once again crosses between Progressive
Rock, Stoner/Doom Metal. The dual vocals of Floyd & Luke add a
sinister touch near the middle of this epic 12-minute track. The band
even adds some 80’s Hard Rock/Heavy Metal guitar shredding to
change the mood and atmosphere once again. However, it works as Qualm
ventures from one mood to the next. It may put some listeners off
when first listening to the album but give it time as these sonic
riffsters write intelligent music you need time to experience the
full effect.
Third
track – Imageless – is a more straight up Hard Rock/Prog Rock
track with the band using TOOL inspired riffs. It’s the album’s
most accessible track as it has a superb sing-along chrous to sing
you heart out to. Though do not worry people – the Psych
Doom/Stoner Metal riffs are still there waiting to be discovered.
Maybe
Heterodox can be called a Progressive Stoner Metal band as they
embrace that style of music for the last two songs – Amorphous and
Ascent, which takes up the final 20 minutes of this epic album. The
band once again blend Doom, Stoner Metal and Prog Rock for a non-stop
onslaught of superb riffs that still make this band very hard to
categorize. Maybe I should stop worrying about what genre they fall
under and celebrate the fact Heterodox have dared to do something
different within the Doom/Stoner Metal scene. You need to hear this
album for yourselves as you are missing something truly special here.
Elixir
of Lethe is a must-have album. Do not let this album pass you by. An
incredible debut album.
Thanks
to the band for sending me a promo to review. Elixir of Lethe will be
available to buy on CD/DD on BandCamp from 27th June.
Check
the Band from Links Below
Written
by Steve Howe
