Tuesday 2 July 2019

ALBUM REVIEW: Morass of Molasses, “The Ties That Bind”

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 07/06/2019
Label: Wasted State Records



“As a live act, MOM are an unstoppable force, taking the audience on a journey and able to uplift and perplex in equal measure; with 'The Ties That Bind', they have released an album that captures their live magic.”


“The Ties That Bind” DD//LP track listing:

1. The Darkening
2. Woe Betide
3. Death of All
4. Estranger
5. Legend of the Five Sons
6. As Leaves Fall
7. Persona Non Grata
8. In Our Sacred Skin
9. The Deepest Roots

The Review:  

Morass of Molasses can stake a claim of being one of the hardest working bands in the UK with their relentless touring and balls to the wall live performances, 'The Ties That Bind', their second full length is a testament to this.

After the brief intro of 'The Darkening', first song proper 'Woe Betide' sees MOM's trademark sexy doom riffs and non traditional approach to song writing pushed to the forefront. (Relatively) new drummer Raj Puni is an excellent addition to MOM, his fills and runs punctuate the songs and act as a counterbalance to the bluesy chops as evident on 'Death To All' and the Stevie Ray Vaughan like 'Estranger'.

Vocalist Bones is at his soulful best here, sounding almost like a throwback to 90s britpop before the melodic bellows shine through. While their plentiful riffs are a powerful weapon in their arsenal, the most potent is their use of melody; 'Legend Of The Five Sons' (featuring the vocal talents of Alunah's Sian Greenway) and 'As Leaves Fall' sounding like they wouldn't be out of place on a Jethro Tull album with folky guitar work and yes, flute creating layers of beautiful musical scenery.

'Persona Non Grata' contrasts the previous tracks and is the quintessential MOM track with Bones' post hardcore screams delivering the goods over Phil Williams' trademark stoner/blues/doom licks. The production is top notch, each element never sounding more than the sum of its parts but still prevalent in the mix enough to be picked out, this may be most evident on the stomping 'In Our Sacred Skin'. As the off kilter drumming and acoustic guitar builds to a 70s prog freak out, the riffs, creamier than a teenage boy's socks, envelope and hug the listener before the dark folk tinged 'The Deepest Roots', which also features Sian Greenway. By far, the most experimental track, at the halfway point, the musical textures build upon the tremendous percussion and weaves a musical tapestry unlike anything else.

As a live act, MOM are an unstoppable force, taking the audience on a journey and able to uplift and perplex in equal measure; with 'The Ties That Bind', they have released an album that captures their live magic. The fact that they are some of the nicest people is an added bonus. Breathtaking stuff. 

“The Ties That Bind” is available HERE




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