By:
Richard Maw
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 03/11/2015
Label: Independent
Certainly, when the band lay the grooves down, as they do on “Apollyon”, they are on fire: tight,
powerful and raucous. There is also a lovely Maiden-esque section which is just
fantastic. The final track is also the title track and is longer than other
songs here, such is often the way with stoner releases. Warm electric tones
coalesce with chugging riffs and a good hook to the vocals and music.
“Awakening” DD track listing:
1).
Silt Laden Black
2).
Black Sea
3).
Descending the North
4).
The Dream
5).
Halocline
6).
Revelation
7).
Turning Tides
8).
Apollyn
9).
Awakening
The Review:
Stoner
doom, with a hefty dose of Black Sabbath and Monster Magnet style psychedelia, Mother Crone
do not mess around. Song lengths are reassuringly concise, leading to a tight
and focused record which can switch between the instrumental thunder of opener “Silt
Laden Black” to the mellow vibes of “The Dream”. The
likes of “Black Sea” put the pedal to the metal, while “Halocline”
builds effectively from mellow to furious noise.
Vocals
are best described as “used sparingly,” but when the feature they are smoky and
intelligible. Rhythmically, the band tends to gallop rather than plod and if
there is one small criticism to be levelled, then it would be that the use of
the galloping triplet feel is a staple... or looking at it another way, the
album is held together by a unified approach, thus giving the band an
identifiable sound. Have a listen and make up your own mind.
Certainly,
when the band lay the grooves down, as they do on “Apollyon”, they are
on fire: tight, powerful and raucous. There is also a lovely Maiden-esque section which is just fantastic. The final
track is also the title track and is longer than other songs here, such is
often the way with stoner releases. Warm electric tones coalesce with chugging
riffs and a good hook to the vocals and music.
Mother Crone have put together a worthy
addition to their chosen genre, while forging their own identity in the
process. Well worth checking out. Just sit back and enjoy.
“Awakening” is available
as “name you price” download here
