Sunday 7 September 2014

SOUNDCRAWLER - The Dead End Host (Album Review)

The Dead-end Host cover art

Album Type: Album
Date Released: October 29th 2014
Label: Self Released

The Dead-End Host - track listing:

1.Raiders
2.Burning Scales
3.A God to Feed
4.Long Coma Slow
5.Souls From the Trash
6.The Plastic Truth
7.Civil
8.Infinite Genocide
9.And All the Seconds Left

Members

Vocals - Rémy Pocquet
Guitar - Paul Parsat
Guitar - Clément Reviriego
Bass - Firouze Pirolley
Drums - Robin Cauchois

Review:

The French Stoner Rock/Metal scene never ceases to amaze me as it always throws up a great band for me to check out. During my time on Sludgelord I have discovered great bands such as Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel, Wheelfall and Mars Red Sky amongst others.

Now Soundcrawler can be added to that list. Some of you may have already heard of these Spaced Out Stoner Rockers when I originally featured them back in August 2012. If you haven't heard of them before then you will before the year is out. As they are finally ready to unleash their excellent début album – The Dead-End Host.

A 41 minute blast of Stoner Metal riffs that matches the early Fuzz Rock sound of Truckfighters and the grunge theatrics of Seattle Legends – Soundgarden. Lead Vocalist Rémy has a distinct Chris Cornell vibe to his vocals. Opening track – Raiders – serves as the perfect introduction to the album as it lays down the groundwork for the rest of the album to follow. Elements of Fuzz Rock, Desert Rock, Space Rock, Grunge and Stoner Metal riffs combine for one irresistible combination of hard-rock heaven.

Soundcrawler unleash loud atmospheric slabs of noise throughout the album especially on the 7 minute epic – Long Coma Slow – that shows you how powerful the band actually is. The FUZZ is amped up all the way to 100 never mind 11. My head was pounding at one point as Soundcrawler don't hold back from unleashing LOUD VIOLENT NOISES for you to fully experience. The Dead-End Host is a very multi-layered album at times especially on Souls From The Trash. A very complex tune with real emotional depth to it.

The 2nd half of the album is where the album truly comes into it's own as Soundcrawler grow in stature and confidence. Tracks such as The Plastic Truth, Civil and Infinite Genocide – unleash a heavy blast of grunge/stoner metal vibes that becomes highly addictive indeed. The album ends on a beautiful and sombre note with – And All The Seconds Left. It's beautifully played haunting acoustic track that left me begging for more. Maybe the guys could of ended the album with one final loud-as-hell track. 

The Dead-End Host is a stunning début album and one Soundcrawler should rightly be proud of. Now lets hope the Stoner Metal community catches on and gives these guys the recognition they truly deserve.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Thanks to SOUNDCRAWLER for sending me a promo to review. The Dead-End Host will be available to buy on CD/DD from October 29th 2014. SOUNDCRAWLER have a crowdfunding project currently going on to release as many Digipacks as they can for The Dead-End Host.

Check the Band from Links Below


Written by Steve Howe