Album Type: Full Length
Date Released:
06th
October 2014
Holy Lands -
track listing:
1.Om Tathagata 04:32
2.Holy Lands 04:10
3.Lion Rider 05:32
4.Beyond The Skull
05:04
5.All I Am 05:33
6.Keepers 02:09
7.Balrogs 11:18
Members
Matt Power - Vocals.
Peter Bursky -
Guitar.
Chris Wilson -
Guitar.
Reg Barber - Bass.
Andres Hyde - Drums
Review:
Sumeru
style of Sludge/Stoner Metal music is reminiscent of the legendary
NOLA Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. Matt's vocals have a distinct Phil
Anselmo vibe while the guitars are heavily influenced by the
legendary riffsters from the NOLA Swamps. Holy Lands is one hard
rocking party full of great riffs and grooves to chew on. Holy Lands
is 38 minutes of finely tuned Sludge/Stoner Metal that will appeal to
all fans of Southern/Sludge Metal. Though these guys are from
Australia. Sumeru have written some great tunes here that is perfect
mosh-pit material.
Sumeru
know they aren't going to change the world of Sludge/Stoner Metal
with their music but that doesn't stop showing how musically talented
they are by playing at a blistering pace with intense vocals to
match. Opening track - Om Tathagata - starts with a fast-paced
machine gun style riff to show that Sumeru mean business. So sit back
and let these Sludge Rockers from Down Under do their thing as this
album is one action packed ride from start to finish. It is great to
hear band pay homage to their heroes but still release an album of
awesome tunes such as this. Tracks such as Lion Rider, Holy Lands and
Beyond The Skull have a violent addictive energy to them that fans of
Zakk Wylde will drool over.
Sumeru have written some fantastic lyrics
to singalong to. The riffs are played with precision and deft timing
that only adds to the heavy as heck atmospherics. Holy Lands makes
you feel alive at times especially on the anthemic - All I Am - that
captures the 'legendary Southern/Sludge Metal energy down to a fine
art.
Sumeru
add elements of Psych Rock and even Punk to their music at different
parts of the album. So maybe It's where the band fully start to come
in their own existence and where I actually began to love this album
for what it is. An excellent hard-rocking album with plenty of great
riffs to offer. Sumera leave the best track till last with the
11-minute epic - Balrogs. A heavy and epic sounding tune that will
make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. It plays out
like an epic war-cry to the Sludge/Stoner Metal world where the
weapon of choice is the deadly destructive riffs that Sumeru abandon
all hope with. It can be very bleak at times but you can't deny how
powerfully loud it all becomes. Sumeru have delivered an excellent
debut album that should find them a solid fanbase over
the next few months or so.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Thanks
to the band for sending me a copy to review. Holy Lands is now
available to buy on DD via BandCamp and Vinyl on Arrest Records / White Winter Records
Written by: Steve Howe
