Album Type:
Album
Date Released:
July 29th
2014
Label:
Self Released
American
Hollow - track listing:
01 High Mountain
Pass 05:18
02 American Hollow
05:32
03 Land of the Sky
08:18
04 Shake the Soot
From Your Boots 05:26
05 A Man's Worth
06:47
06 Endless Summer
08:55
Bio
With
roots in americana, stoner metal and post-rock, Bask is turning out
their own brand of doom. Psychedelic, heavy, and scenic songs weave
through sections of driving riffs, thundering percussion, loose
grooves and glimmering guitar. All topped with vocals that conjure
spirits of old country crooners. That's all you need to know.
Band Members
Jesse. Scott. Ray.
Zeb.
Review:
Bask
are an unusual beast. Their Facebook description pretty much sums
them up:
“With
roots in Americana, Stoner Metal and Post-Rock, Bask is turning out
their own brand of doom. Psychedelic, heavy, and scenic songs weave
through sections of driving riffs, thundering percussion, loose
grooves and glimmering guitar. All topped with vocals that conjure
spirits of old country crooners.”
The
vocals are a weird (and pretty cool) mix of old country twang and
Neurosis style howling. There is something eerie about this album, it
conjures up images of a slow boat making it's way along the
Mississippi river, surrounded by a thick mist. That's enough picture
painting, I'm rubbish at it.
What
really impressed me was the way Bask build tension. I like a good
build but some bands take it too far, adding tiny amounts of
something for what feels like forever, until they actually get to the
point. Bask do this without pissing me off.
The
deft amalgamation of pickin' style and metal riffage is a testament
to their musical influences and abilities. It's like John 5 decided
playing shit music was no longer an option, started a Doom band and
found a bunch of equally talented dudes to join him. The only track
that was a little too country for me was 'A Man's Worth' (Track 5). I
wanted more power, more of the heavy that Bask seem to be bloody good
at laying down.
….And
drums! The drummer is an animal! Some wonderful rhythmic work
throughout. The entire band seem to be able to snake from one
direction to another with little or no real effort. Maybe I'm writing
this more as a guitarist than a music fan but tough shit.
As
the album progresses it begins to lean more and more towards the
bands Post-Rock influences, soaring guitars and a lot more emphasis
on the cleaner tones (in both guitar and vocals). American Hollow
definitely starts in a darker place than it ends up.
If
I wasn't given this record to review I may have overlooked it, or not
even realised it existed. I'm glad that didn't happen because it's an
enjoyable ride, offering something different in a completely
saturated little section of the underground metal scene. Bask are
good at this, I suggest you get on this slow boat.
Check
the Band from Links Below
Bigcartel - You can buy Vinyl from here.
Written
by Keeran Williams
