Album Type: EP
Date Released:
23/09/2014
Label: Magnetic Eye
Records
‘Theia’
CD/DD/LP track listing:
1). The Call
(00:22)
2). Attack of
the Altaica (08:08)
3). In
Suffering (05:11)
4). The Answer
(00:48)
5). Vlaakith
(06:20)
6). Lament
(02:11)
7). The Sead
(05:12)
Bio:
Both hailing
from the North of England
Linking up
with Pete of Trippy Wicked and Stubb heritage the sound started to develop
further and by the end of the month the new demo track was being recorded with
sights set firmly on an EP in the near future.
With the addition of the Canadian Boy Wonder, Riley, with his sitar and
wizard-like physique, things moved up a notch again.
Playing their
debut gig to a great crowd in April 2014 which lead to the demand for the
recording of their first EP, ‘Theia’ was released in September by Magnetic Eye
Records. Now an established gigging band the guys are booking in performances
all over the UK
Elephant
Tree is:
Guitars/Vocals
| Jack Townley
Bass/Vocals | Peter Holland
Sitar/Vocals | Riley MacIntyre
Drums | Sam Hart
Bass/Vocals | Peter Holland
Sitar/Vocals | Riley MacIntyre
Drums | Sam Hart
Review:
Ok,
so first off, let me tell you what I love about that (for lack of a better
term) "Sabbathy" sound. They arent the only ones who did it, but they
did it first and best. The Impending
Wave of Doom. The tones produced by the guitars and bass that are probably
tuned down a half-step or more, blended to make that heavy doomy atmospheric
sound. You all know what I’m talking about. That sound that makes it seem as if
a giant black, doomy wall of sound is about to fall on you and wipe out the
world. It’s pretty much what brings the average music fan to bands like Black
Sabbath, and the genre of Doom metal (and every other kind of metal) that came
after them.
Now
let me introduce you to Elephant Tree. The
album opens up with "The Call" which I’m pretty sure is a Sitar riff,
that would be well-placed in a psychological thriller. It’s pretty haunting;
"The Call" is anwered by track 4, "The Answer",
BAM!
There it is. That "giant wall of impending doom" only with a much,
fuzzier tone rather than guitar distortion. Slow, plodding riffs of fuzzy doomy
goodness, but with enough changes so that nothing becomes too repetitive. On the second track," Attack of the
Altaica", you get that dirty, low fuzz doom but with a vocal melody much different
on later tracks. Honestly, the vocals are somewhat reminiscent of the kind of
harmonies Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell often used. That changes on the next
track, "In Suffering".
I
can go on and on about what I like about this album, and describe each track,
and it would be valid since each song is slightly different from the others, as
any good album should be, but staying within "the sound" that the
band is going for.
Instead,
I'll just sum up to say that some of the best undiscovered bands out there seem
to be coming from that somewhat undefinable "doom/fuzz" or
"garage doom" sound. It’s becoming its own legitimate genre, ever bit
as valid as any other, and Elephant Tree is a great example of the genre. While
I do use a couple of references to Black Sabbath, it's only for those not
familiar with the sound.
You
may not know Pentagram, or Count Raven, or Uncle Acid, but you've probably
heard of Sabbath.
Elephant
Tree is a must if you like that sound. Even better, none of the tracks fall
victim to the most common mistake doom bands make, which is dragging a song too
long. No matter how cool your riff is and how awesome your tone is, plodding
endlessly is a sure fire way to bore the britches off anyone after 4 minutes or
so. Elephant Tree doesnt fall victim to that. The songwriting is solid and
creative, and keeps one's interest all the way.
Highly
recommended for any fans of doom, stoner rock or fuzz and for the three fans of
Astroqueen's "Into Submission" that will read this.
Words by: Mike Borsum
You
can pick up a copy here
For
more information:
