‘All in all, “Refugeeum” is an album of
quality, but it’s the addictive elements that will either make or break the
listening experience. Either the addiction will hit home, bringing the listener
back for another hit, or scare them away by the fourth track. The choice is
yours.’
Album Type: Full-Length
Date
Released: 24/7/2015
Label: Self
Released/Cargo Records
‘Refugeeum’CD//DD//LP
track listing:
1.
Vortex Sun (8:03)
2.
Universal Bloodlines (4:27)
3.
Born a Lion (Homeless) (3:46)
4.
The Lure (Come with us) (4:03)
5.
Run to the Plains (10:50)
6.
Curtains of Death (8:21)
7.
Melek's Lament (Yazidi Tears) (6:06)
8.
Walking Shades (4:33)
9.
Ritual of Inner Strength (9:27)
Black Space Riders is:
JE
| lead vocals, guitars, organ, beats
SEB
| lead vocals
C.RIP
| drums, percussion
SLI
| guitars
SAQ
| bass guitar
HEVO
| additional bass guitar
Review:
Since 2008, there has been a German quintet drifting in
and out of focus of the Hubble Telescope. They fly amongst the planets under a
flag that reads Black Space Riders, using a battle cry named
"Refugeeum"" that is strong enough to pierce through the vacuum
that is the cosmos. Led by the band’s sure-footed vocal compass, Black Space
Riders push their space-rock far and wide with a clear purpose to conquer. The
steady, choppy guitars played to the simple time keeping of the rhythm section
combines to make affable melodies and an impressively large sound.
What’s most remarkable on “Refugeeum” is how addictive it
is and this lies in the simplicity of it all. Leaving space in the songs is key
for Black Space Riders, allowing for an expanded arrangement. So even though
the lead melody in a song like “Born a Lion” is a mere four notes, there’s
room to build upon and expand the song. These building blocks are
primarily found in the vocals, be it the back and forth of “The Lure” or the
bellowing found in “Curtain of Death.” Perhaps as anticipated, this leads to
sing-a-longs...whether you want to or not. So yes, this coin has a flip side,
and that is that the melodies aren’t spectacular and have the potential to get
played out, almost to the extent of annoyance.
But don’t sell these guys short. They know what they have
in tow and certainly in Germany, there are enough people out there who will eat
this goth, space, stoner metal up. “Refugeeum” starts by pulling in the
listener with an airy chant that slowly takes form as a strong opener.
Obviously the cut that they spent a great deal of time working out is “Run to
the Plains,” which serves well as the album’s centerpiece. Though the verses
get dangerously close to a dance song, the band somehow makes it work. Once the
chorus lands and the distortion pedals have been hit, Black Space Riders take
on a whole new direction, one that comes back in the album’s two closing
tracks. “Walking Shades” shows that the band can succeed at making their music
a little bit more complex and closer “Ritual of Inner Strength” will speak to
the Pink Floyd fans of the eighties.
All in all, “Refugeeum” is an album of quality, but it’s
the addictive elements that will either make or break the listening experience.
Either the addiction will hit home, bringing the listener back for another hit,
or scare them away by the fourth track. The choice is yours.
Words by: Victor van
Ommen
‘Refugeeum’
is available here
For more
information:
