By: Charlie Butler
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 11/04/2016
Label: Independent
It’s
obvious from these five tracks that the Warsaw
“Zorya” CD//DD
track listing:
1).
Beast of Prey
2).
Zorya
3).
Long Gone
4).
New Horizon
5).
Again and Against
The Review:
“Zorya” is the second LP from Poland ’s Sunnata. Having missed their debut, this is my
first contact with the band. The band shouldn’t be going under anyone’s radar
for much longer though as this is an attention-grabbing beast of an album.
It’s
obvious from these five tracks that the Warsaw
quartet are huge doom fans and wear their influences on their sleeve. “Beasts of Prey” is a monolithic blend
of Sleep
and Yob’s
finest moments; heavy riffs and psychedelic passages flowing into one another
seamlessly. The title track opens with a thunderous challenge to ‘spread
your wings’, reminiscent of Torche’s debut, before moving
into a hypnotic Sabbath
groove complete with a pitch perfect Ozzy impersonation.
Sunnata are not
merely replicating the achievements of their idols though – they are taking all
that is great from the heavy spectrum and moulding it into their singular sonic
vision. All of the tracks here clock in around the ten-minute mark but the
band’s expert song writing skill and infectious enthusiasm make for a
constantly absorbing and rewarding listen. There is no predictable build and
release or quiet-and-loud dynamics normally associated with songs of this
length, each track is an unpredictable journey into the beyond.
As
“Zorya” progresses, the mood becomes
heavier and darker as the tempo slows towards a hypnotic crawl. “New Horizon” is the most crushing
offering here, setting up the listener for the unexpected sludgy aggression of
“Again and Against”. With some truly
filthy guitar and bass obscured by wailing feedback, Sunnata verge on dirty,
noise-rock territory and it suits them. Nasty riffs push further into the outer
limits as the band ramp up the intensity for the punishing finale, bringing the
album to a close in suitable, ear-ringing fashion.
“Zorya” is a strong offering from Sunnata,
a potent marriage of killer riffs and sky-scraping ambition. It may not be the
most original release but few bands deliver heaviness on this sweeping scale.
