By: Dominic
Walsh
Album Type: Full
Length
Date
Released: 07/07/2018
Label: Independent
There is always demand for heritage and
that retro rock and roll sound and 1968 are more than capable purveyors.
“Ballads
of the Godless” DD//LP
track listing:
1).
Devilswine
2).
Screaming Sun
3).
Temple of the Acidwolf
4).
S.J.D.
5).
Chemtrail Blues
6).
McQueen
7).
The Hunted
8).
Mother of God
The Review:
Formed
in 2013 out of a chance meeting between Sam (Orr, guitars) and James (Coppack,
vocals) 1968
was created out of their love for many legendary albums created in the year
that signalled the beginning of a darker, heavier movement in music and popular
culture; a period in time characterized by an evolving socio-political
environment, the end of the colourful ‘Summer of Love’ era and the dawn of a
more cynical cultural landscape defined by the Manson murders and the Altamont
tragedy.
1968’s previous EP’s may have
been well received and they’re not shy of throwing their influences in the
spotlight. The big difference between “Fortuna
Havana” and
their debut album is that the band have added a heavy level of grunge to their
sound. So whilst Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy and Jimi Hendrix are all prevalent,
there is also more than a heavy smattering of Alice In Chains and Soundgarden.
“Devilswine” opens up the album in
scintillating fashion and pulls many styles into its glorious mix. Towering
riffs blow you away more than once as you voyage through the track. Dan Amati’s
drumming is brilliant throughout and it’s his range of tempos and styles that
set off this exciting opener. Its abrupt ending gives way to the chug of “Screaming Sun” which sees strained
vocals play off against more melodic backing vocals.
“Temple of the Acidwolf” is pure Alice In Chains
worship in the harmonic vocal delivery. The lead guitar work is tripped out as
the vocals get gradually more psychedelic. The whole trip, literally and
metaphorically, is quite sublime. The same can be said of one of the albums
highlights, “McQueen”. Building
gradually throughout its near 7 minute duration, the peak of the track is
excellent and begs your attention.
As
the title suggests, “Chemtrail Blues”
is a bluesier affair – this is not tender though. Distorted guitars, rolling
bass and more crashing drum work help elevate the track away from the standard
blues fair. “The Hunted” plays with
a more upbeat tempo and traditional feel akin to the more trad feel of “Fortuna Havana”. “Mother of God” closes out the album as a more jam laden
instrumental. It fades out in the same way the album fades in; a swarming
maelstrom of feedback.
1968 aren’t reinventing the
wheel, but they’re playing with the motion of that wheel. Some of the production
on the album dips here and there, maybe due to split responsibility but with that
being said, “Ballads of the Godless”
is a solid step in the right direction after some excellent EP’s. There is
always demand for heritage and that retro rock and roll sound and 1968
are more than capable purveyors.
“Ballads of the Godless” is available here
