Album
Type:
Album
Date
Released:
July 2015
Label:
Pink
Tank Records
Into
The Fog... And The Filthy Air - Track Listing
1.After The Sin
2.Angst Lover
3.Burned Flesh
4.Into The Fog
5.Perpetual
Wasteland
Members:
Fañch : Guitar/Vox
Sylvain :
Bass/Chorus
Antoine : Drums
Review:
This
is my first time venturing into Stonebirds world of heavy psychedelic
Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs. The band did release a debut album back in
2011 called Slow Fly which sadly passed me by as it's an awesome
album you should hunt down. Though I'm here to talk about their
eagerly awaited follow up album – Into The Fog... And The Filthy
Air – that sees the band venture into murky Psychedelic Stoner
Metal with hints of Sludge Rock giving this album a distorted Desert
Rock feel.
Opening
track – After The Sin – starts off like a warped psychedelic
nightmare coming to life with distorted fuzz based riffs and grizzled
vocals to match. It has an ambient feel to the music as Stonebirds
wisely create their own musical path that sees an air of originality
not seen for a long time in the Stoner Metal realm. Fañch's have
a sense of mystery about them as he sings a mysterious tale that I
even find hard to understand. It's the music that's the main
attraction here as Stonebirds transport you to the legendary Desert
Rock surroundings where the riffs only become heavier, crazier and
packed with a whole lot more FUZZ. It's has a crazy psychedelic
guitar solo that will put you in a trance as the band have written a
truly hypnotic song.
Second
track – Angst Lover – sees Stonebirds change musical direction as
they go for a heavier and more bombastic approach with the
Psychedelic noises taking centre stage that gives Fañch centre stage
to show off his impressive vocals once more. It starts off as
slow-paced affair with plenty of distorted feedback and hazy riffs
appearing every so often. Give it time though as the band bring the
heavy thunderous Sludge Rock riffs and it's another exciting ride
that sets Stonebirds off to a righteous path of greatness. Stonebirds
can give Mastodon a run for their money in the progressive sludge
metal volume stakes on this song. WOW!!!
There
is a lot more to Stonebirds sound as they combine Grunge and Ambient
Noises to their music so this album will speak to a wide range of
people across the musical spectrum. It's a powerful album that will
end up on a few Album Of The Year Lists and it's a good job that the
band still have 3 songs to impress you with. 3rd song –
Burned Flesh – is a more gloomy affair compared to the opening
tracks as Stonebirds become more accustomed to their doom and gloom
surroundings. The music is more direct and stripped back that gives
the rhythm section of the band their chance to impress in the
spotlight.
Fourth
Track – Into The Fog – is pure Stoner Metal/Desert Rock territory
with Fanch delivering his most heartfelt performance on the album.
Shades of Kyuss appear but it's still an original sound that the band
deserve credit for. The song combines Fuzz/Desert Rock vibes with a
bleak Sludge Rock vibe. It's one of the albums standout songs that
you will be listening to over and over again. The 2nd half
of the song is of the heaviest parts of the album and its still
beautifully played from beginning to end.
Last
but by no means least is – Perpetual Wasteland – a haunting and
sombre affair where the band take you on a heartfelt journey with
drone based signatures and riffs that could last a lifetime. It's too
Stonebird's credit they have written songs that are all very
different to each other. As you get a different musical experience
with each and every song. Sure it's firmly rooted in Sludge/Stoner
Metal but it[s the overall musical journey that Stonebirds that take
you on. This song is one of reflection, loss and forgiveness.
The
production on the album is flawless through out as the album is loud
from the start. Stonebirds have delivered a brilliant and highly
original album. Kudos to Pink Tank Records for signing them to their
roster. This album is going to win Stonebirds a huge range of
admirers within the Sludge/Stoner Metal community. Into The Fog...
And The Filthy Air is a must have album. End Of.
Need
more proof – Well Stonebirds and Pink Tank Records have kindly let
Sludgelord HQ exclusively stream – After The Sin – from Into The
Fog... And The Filthy Air. Check it out.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Pink Tank Records for the promo. Into The Fog... And The Filthy
Air - will be available to buy on CD/DD from Stonebirds and Vinyl via Pink Tank Records
from July 2015. Pre-Orders will be available soon.
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