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

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

TRACK PREMIERE: Swamp master generals Morass of Molasses make a blistering statement with "My Leviathan"

Self-described "swamp master generals" Morass of Molasses will release their new album “These Paths We Tread” on May 19th 2017 via HeviSike Records.  The album's 7 tracks blend fuzz, sludge and doom and will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best records of 2017.

Morass of Molasses create the kind of lumbering heavy blues riffs which induce involuntary head nodding and a deep stirring of the loins. The band's short life so far has also seen them sharing stages with such luminaries of the scene as Orange Goblin, Ohhms, Vodun, Elephant Tree, Desert Storm, Space Witch, Sea Bastard, Limb, Gurt and many more. Their gutsy Jagermiester stage performance at Bloodstock helped propel them into a relentless schedule of touring during which they released their debut EP ‘So Flows Our Fate’.  

The new album, “These Paths We Tread” is a veritable melting pot of ideas, blended together, forming a thick stew of heavy blues with side of doom for good measure. As in the EP before, the band uses the album as a vehicle to explore concepts of mythic sin and ancient archetypes. The Journey we take through life as humans is ever at the forefront, and drives the songwriting. 

Without resorting to speed runs, tapping, or other flashy distractions, Morass of Molasses focuses on a basic formula of riff, tone, a massive backbone of rhythm supplied from bass and drumming, and catchy, rock-laden lyrics and delivery, creating a sinfully sweet ride through the slightly hazy and humid land they call their soul. Gaze into it, and let the wind whistle a neat little tune into your ear as we premiere the opening track from their monstrous new album.  We give you “My Leviathan”

“These Paths We Tread” DD//LP track Listing: 

1. My Leviathan

2. So They Walk

3. Serpentine

4. The Ritual

5. Centralia

6. Maenads

7. Wrath Of Aphrodite

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

Morass of Molasses - 'So Flows Our Fate' EP (Review)

By: Hunter Young

Album Type:  EP

Date Released: 18/4/2015

Label: Wicked Boy Records

The riffs are huge, catchy, and fuzzy in that oh so addictive way that oscillation gets. ‘Fear to Tread’, song 3 of the 4, has a massive little riff run, simple, but they are able to just do so much with the bare bones.

‘So Flows Our Fate’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Rotten Teeth

2). Ashtabula

3). Fear To Tread

4). Bear River

The Review:

A lot of bands now are still trying for that technical playing edge, hoping to add that one extra note in a crazy, probably inhuman run, but no one seems to understand riffing and heavy rocking are all under-utilized in this day and age. Morass of Molasses true to their name bring back that sweet, sweet blues on their newest, ‘So Flows Our Fate!’

Sporting some truly awesome, horrific artwork, this slab contains some of the grittiest riffs of heavy blues outside of Goatsnake's jockstrap. These fellows simply hand your brain to you, having been dropped, rolled, and slid across their recording floor. The riffs are huge, catchy, and fuzzy in that oh so addictive way that oscillation gets. ‘Fear to Tread’, song 3 of the 4, has a massive little riff run, simple, but they are able to just do so much with the bare bones. They take heavy blues and fashion some awesome things from stuff that's been done millions of times already. It's a well worn path they tread, but they seem to add a jaunty step all their own, kicking up rocks and making a good sized racket.

From their fuzz rock supreme (with sour cream and guacamole, of course), you are treated to possibly the most sultry vocals this side of Jim Morrison, as Bones (vocals), alternates between a swampy croon and some fiery screams on top of those high gain hand acrobatics. The combination becomes a dichotomy at times, with the harsh vocals clashing with a very nice, molten guitar line, and then coming right back into that sweet run where rhythm meets road...

Without resorting to speed runs, tapping, or other flashy distractions, Morass of Molasses focuses on a basic formula of riff, tone, a massive backbone of rhythm supplied from bass and drumming, and catchy, rock-laden lyrics and delivery, creating a sinfully sweet ride through the slightly hazy and humid land they call their soul. Gaze into it, and let the wind whistle a neat little tune into your ear...

‘So Flows Our Fate’ is available here

Band info: Bandcamp | Like: Facebook