By: Richard Maw
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 13/05/2016
Label: Tee
Pee Records |
Svart Records
This
is a fine and interesting record, which mixes Arabian themes and sounds with
the Californian desert to good effect. If you are looking for something
different, this should fit the bill nicely!
“Shifting Mirrors” CD//DD//LP track
listing:
1.) Anatolia
2.) Sword of Hakim
3.) The Approach To Al-Mu’tasim
4.) Taqsim
5.) Ballad of Zeta Brown
6.) Black Hawk
7.) Mola Mamad Djan
8.) Tamazgha
9.) The Peace Within
10.) Danse Nomade
2.) Sword of Hakim
3.) The Approach To Al-Mu’tasim
4.) Taqsim
5.) Ballad of Zeta Brown
6.) Black Hawk
7.) Mola Mamad Djan
8.) Tamazgha
9.) The Peace Within
10.) Danse Nomade
The Review:
A
trio from LA, not Turkey or Syria or similar- despite what the song titles
suggest- Blaak Heat mix heavy psychedelia with desert
rock (California, not Sahara) and Mastodon-esque vocal
melodies. A very live and reverb heavy sound compliments this approach very
positively. Opening instrumental “Anatolia” positively races by
while the flagship track “Sword of Hakim” will cement your
attitude to the album. I personally like it a lot. Eastern melodies and rhythms
mix with more Western sensibilities to good effect.
The
Eastern flavour remains in “The Approach to Al-Mu'tasim” with
a lovely opening intro before the track blasts in with a rhythmical
groove-fest- percussion most definitely included. There are interludes such as “Taqsim”
and atmospheric and cinematic trips such as “Ballad of Zeta Brown”.
“Black
Hawk” is more frenetic and quite weighty in places.
The
Eastern Vibes continue through “Mola Mamad Djan” while “Tamazgha”
takes the foot firmly off the gas for a drifting and mellow two and a half
minutes. The final one-two punch of “The Peace Within” and “Danse
Nomade” is similarly flavoured, with the former being a bit
more straight rock and the latter being a bit less so.
This
is a fine and interesting record, which mixes Arabian themes and sounds with
the Californian desert to good effect. If you are looking for something
different, this should fit the bill nicely!
