Greenleaf - "Rise Above The Meadow" (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full length
Date Released: 26/02/2016
Label: Napalm Records

Swedish heavy rockers Greenleaf return with their sixth(!) full length and “A Million Fireflies” kicks off the album with distorted bass, rumbling drums and fuzzy guitars. It manages to be both raucous and measured at the same time.  Musically, I suppose, this falls somewhere between Cream and Fu Manchu, but rather than just bludgeon the listener, the band combine weight with a lightness of touch- particularly with regards to the vocal melodies.  Overall, If you like heavy rock, fuzzy guitars and vocals that stick with you then this album is one to check out.

“Above The Meadow” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. A Million Fireflies
2. Funeral Pyre
3. Howl
4. Golden Throne
5. Carry Out The Ribbons
6. Levitate And Bow (Pt. 1 & 2)
7. You´re Gonna Be My Ruin
8. Tyrants Tongue
9. Pilgrims

The Review:

Swedish heavy rockers Greenleaf return with their sixth(!) full length. “A Million Fireflies” kicks off the album with distorted bass, rumbling drums and fuzzy guitars. It manages to be both raucous and measured at the same time, with quieter moments and an archetypical Swedish vocal- think Witchcraft...

“Funeral Pyre” is similarly earth shaking with some cracking riffs and a lovely reverb heavy drum sound. Musically, I suppose, this falls somewhere between Cream and Fu Manchu- think that sounds good? It is!  “Howl” goes for a more mellow but equally direct approach. Until a BIG riff kicks in at the three minute mark that is...

“Golden Throne” is a short, sharp ditty with a propulsive rhythm and strong melodies. “Levitate and Bow” is an expansive workout which spans over seven minutes of shifting sounds; ambitious and wholly effective. The likes of “You're Gonna Be My Ruin” and “Tyrants Tongues” are more direct in  approach, but always maintain a keen sense of melody- as the record does as a whole. Rather than just bludgeon the listener, the band combine weight with a lightness of touch- particularly with regards to the vocal melodies. “Pilgrims” finishes this fine and heavy rocking effort in style with a fine building track which is a memorable crystallisation of what the band does best. If you like heavy rock, fuzzy guitars and vocals that stick with you then this album is one to check out.

“Above The Meadow” is available here

Band info: facebook