Album
Type:
Album
Date
Released:
March 10th 2015
Label:
Self Released
Starquake
- Track Listing
Wizard Mode 03:38
Starquake 09:06
We Have Us 05:39
Sideways 05:18
Something 05:35
Atomics Pt. II
05:58
Ground Zero 06:29
Both Hands 06:13
Members
Erc on Thud //
Mojogrone on Ripper
Tech //
Roberta on Big Mouth
Feedback
Review:
Problem
With Dragons. So what type of band would you think would call
themselves this? Pagan Metal or Power Metal. That's what I thought
when I a friend of mine recommended them to me to check out. I
thought he was having a laugh at my expense. Though it turns out the
joke is on me as Problem With Dragons is a brilliant Sludge/Stoner
Metal Band who have just released their debut album - Starquake.
Another thing that almost turned me off this band as I thought the
album was named after a Transformer or something.
Joking
aside - Starquake - is one of the best unexpected surprises I've had
in a really long time reviewing albums. As I didn't know what to
expect from this album. What I got was a loud and violent exercise in
heavy riffs with a very dangerous addictive edge. Problem With
Dragons sound is very hard to describe. Parts Stoner, Sludge, Punk,
Hard Rock, Doom, Grunge Classic Rock, Heavy Metal and Prog Rock. This
is a band who knows how to defy musical genres and give it the middle
thing it richly deserves.
Opening
track - Wizard Mode - is pure heavy destructive rock and roll in it's
most purest form. As the band branch out into pure punk based Stoner
Rock carnage with hints of violent psych rock being beating up in the
corner just for the fun of it. The vocals are more of the clean based
variety though you can hear strands of in-your-face punk rock waiting
to burst out. Shades of digitized sounds provide a more rounded
experience as the band project a sound that feels it's almost coming
to life. It gives you a brief glimpse on what to expect for the rest
of the album.
Second
track - Starquake - is the albums standout track - 9 mins of
distorted Hard Rock/Metal vocals lead the way for an exciting
Sludge/Stoner/Space Rock journey that feels like the music that
Mastodon should actually be making themselves for their last few
albums. Problem With Dragons create a rich tapestry of different
noises and riffs where it can be very hard to keep up with at times.
When the band start adding Over The Top distorted vocals you feel the
album turning into a more sinister progressive metal affair. That's
one of the albums strengths as it changes it's identity without a
care in the world. It shouldn't really work but Problem With Dragons
pull this off with conviction and style. The band even finds the time
to add a creepy ambient synth sound to leave you feeling someone is
watching you from afar.
Third
Track - We Have Us - carries on the frenzied and schizophrenic affair
with the band focusing on both style and substance. It's more of a
straight-forward Sludge/Stoner Rock song with the riffs being
interlaced with a Thrash style sound and the vocals feel that they're
being projected from a different world or universe. It's to the bands
credit they're not afraid to take risks on their debut album and to
show people there’s a lot more to their music. The lyrics can be
very hard to work out at times. My advice, just sit back and enjoy
the crazy ride. It will be easier in the long run. Fourth track -
Sideways - has a more classic grunge feel though it's still crazy as
heck. It's one of the albums other standout tracks as the band once
again pack so many insane and great ideas that had me questioning
what am I listening to. The only answer I could come up with was - a
brilliantly written debut album that demands your full attention.
Progressive
Sludge/Stoner Metal is the main key here as the band lay down some of
the albums most impressive riffs and vocal delivery. The twin
delivery of the guitars and vocals has a slight Thin Lizzy/Mastodon
kind of vibe but still maintains the crazy and twisted vibe of the
band itself. Other songs for the band to confuse and delight you with
include the remaining four tracks - Something, Atomics Part 2, Ground
Zero and Both Hands as the band unleash more stunning riffs to slay
you with.
Ground
Zero and Both Hands will probably impress the most on the 2nd half of
the album as Problem With Dragons are not going to let this album end
without a fight. The 2nd half of the album sees the band venture more
into Psychedelic Rock/Metal territory. It's still a noisy and
exciting experience as Starquake is an album you will be listening to
for days on end. Problem With Dragons maybe a very hard band to
categorize but Starquake is an essential album to own. If you want
something exciting and original in the land of Sludge/Stoner Metal
then you will find this album very hard to beat. Brilliant!!!
Thanks
to the band for the promo. Starquake is available to buy on DD
now.
Words
by Steve Howe
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