ALBUM REVIEW: Asatta - "Spiralling Into Oblivion"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 02/09/2016
Label: Burnout Planet Records

This is cracking stuff and a worthy addition to the ever expanding doom canon, "Three Dials”is Crushingly heavy and really fucking noisy, "Lapse” features some swinging grooves to go with the slothful doom sounds, “She Died Long Ago” is a slow trudge through the darkest of doom- and echoes Candlemass rather than Conan in its approach. A fine debut then and an indication that there are great things to come from Asatta, who have positioned themselves up there with modern doom's elite.

‘Spiralling Into Oblivion’ CD//DD track listing:

1.Three Dials (08:31)

2.Lapse (06:38)

3.1678 (04:04)

4.She Died Long Ago (09:21)

5.Breath of Kali (07:22)

6.Son of the Morning (11:03)

The Review:

Asatta fall into, I guess, the modern doom category. By that I mean Conan, Slomatics and the more sludge end of the genre. Hailing from Milwaukee (home of the Harley!)  is a fairly metal start, in my view, as is the opening of “Three Dials”. Crushingly heavy and really fucking noisy, I liked this band immediately! The vocals are of the hoarse bark variety and they fit the music very effectively (along with some nifty double tracking effects and so on).

For your hard earned money, you get six songs of very decent playing time. The third track, “1678”, is an anomaly as it only just goes over the four minute mark (it is a weighty and groove filled number, mind!)- but most here are well north of that- think eight minutes or so as an average, so no one buying this will feel short changed. Rest assured the sound herein in suitably crushing and the performances across the band match this. “Lapse” features some swinging grooves to go with the slothful doom sounds- even injecting a little melody into the sound.

“She Died Long Ago” is a slow trudge through the darkest of doom- and echoes Candlemass rather than Conan in its approach- with a rather nifty change prior to the four minute mark. “Breath of Kali” is also a dark listen with lots of spooky goings on in the instrumentation (theramin in there somewhere?). By the time of the eleven minute plus “Son of the Mourning”, the album has shown its hand to great effect. This effective and weighty finisher demonstrates the trippy side of the band and allows the record to ride off into the sunset in some style.

It would be fair to say that I began to enjoy this album as soon as I started listening to it and repeated listens have only revealed more depths to enjoy. This is cracking stuff and a worthy addition to the ever expanding doom canon. A fine debut and an indication that there are great things to come from Asatta, who have positioned themselves up there with modern doom's elite.

‘Spiralling Into Oblivion” is available here

Band info: Facebook| BandCamp

RIYL: Conan, Slomatics, Abrahma, Candlemass

Stoner Rock Reflections - Interview with Seb from Abrahma

It's been a long time since we caught up with today's guests. 3 years by my reckoning since Aaron aka DOUBLEADOOM77 interviewed them back in 2012.

With a stunning new record - Reflections In The Bowels of the Bird – that's just been released and it's an album that's starting to win major praise within the Stoner Rock community. Though this is a different band to their 2012 album – Through The Dusty Paths Of Our Lives – as the new album is more direct and gets straight down to the point of rocking out.

I've been asked to interview one of France's best Stoner Rock/Metal bands – ABRAHMA. I'm happy to report that Seb (Lead Vox/Guitar) is going to talk to us.

So lets get started and see what has happened over the last few years or so.

1. Hi guys. How's it going? Thanks for doing this interview. Much appreciated.

We're fine. Just back from an awesome tour with our mates from LO-PAN. Thank you for doing this interview.

2. For people not in the know can you give a brief history of how the band came together and where it is today.

So, ABRAHMA was born in 2011 on the ashes of another band we had with Guillaume and Ben before. We decided in 2011 to change our name with the arriving of Nicolas, and the fact that the sound was a little bit different. Then we recorded T.T.D.P.O.O.L and had the chance to sign a deal with SMALL STONE RECORDS in 2012.

3. You first came to our attention with your 2012 album – Through The Dusty Paths Of Our Lives. That was a great album. Looking back, were you pleased with the responses the album received from fans and critics alike?

Totally, this first album has really opened the road to a lot of cool opportunities and also been a way to better know where we wanted to go.

4. Looking back would you change anything about it.

No, not really. Many people say that it was too long, but personally I love it like this. And it's a first album with a story… I think its running time makes sense.

5. Now we have to talk about your new album – Reflections In The Bowels Of The Bird. WOW what a title. Why did you choose that title for the album.

You know, I'm such a huge philosophy and mythology fan. When we were writing the album, I already had the idea of doing another trilogy on the album, but about the omens. I read a lot about Haruspicy, and its different uses in the old times. From the Viking traditions to the antic Greece, this tradition has been popular for a long time. I personally loved naming the album after this tradition, as it's also a kind of journey in “the entrails of a bird”, haha! :)

Anyway, I submitted this title to my bandmates and it seemed like everybody in the band loved the idea too, so here's the reason why we entitled it this way.

6. Your new album is very different to your last album. It's more direct and it's more grungier and psychedelic. Was that the plan to make something different to Through The Dusty Paths Of Our Lives.

To be honest I don't really think this album is so different from the first one. We only have strengthened the points we loved on our first album. Take some songs like “Headless Horse”, “The Maze” or “Honkin Water Roof” on our first record: I think they have the same vibe than the new songs, and these are the songs we enjoy the most from our first album. So, it's been really natural as we also wanted to be more cohesive. For the grunge influences, I think it surely comes from the fact that we're all big SOUNDGARDEN, ALICE IN CHAINS, FAILURE fans.

7. Was it an easy decision to write/record something different to the album.

For this second album we really wanted to affirm our personality. With all the touring we've done to promote the first album, we have learned so much, and especially where we wanted to go musically in the future. So yes, it was an easy decision, even more as we all wanted the same thing.

8. Did you do anything differently recording this album compared to the last album.

No, we recorded it live again at our drummer's studio. We just changed some technical things like microphones, but drums, bass and lead guitar were all recorded live in the same studio.

9. It's good to see you have Ed Mundell back on the new album. Was it easy convincing Ed to record with you guys again. What was it like recording with Ed again.

Since our first release, we've been in touch with Ed. And he was really interested in taking part in this new release. We shared the stage with THE ULTRA ELECTRIC MEGA GALACTIC last year, and we talked a little bit more about it. Ed was really motivated to make some guest appearance again. So it was a pleasure to have him again, even more, as I think that “A Shepherd's Grief” totally fits to his way of playing

10. Abrahma has such an awesome live reputation when playing gigs. I witnessed that for myself last year in Leeds in such a small intimate venue. (I don't really want to say shithole. But it kinda was). You guys won a lot of praise and fans for that UK Tour you did last year. Really impressed the hell out of me. Are there plans for more European Dates in the future to promote the album.

Thanks for the kind words. This gig in Leeds was a little bit crazy ahaha! We are already working on a new tour to promote the album, yes. This first tour with LO-PAN was a kind of warm-up, and we're now ready to make a longer one. UK will not be missed!

11. What is your setup when playing live and recording in the studio. Do you have a a basic setup or a more advanced setup.

We almost have the same setup. Our goal on album is to record something we'll be able to do also on stage. So we use the same setup, we only sometimes add a lot more guitar harmonies in the studio, but generally our live versions are not so different from the album version.

12. Which bands and artists have influenced you all as musicians. Any particular bands or albums that have made a lasting impression.

We're all listening to different things. Nicolas listens to a lot of Jazz, Guillaume too. But I think our main influences for ABRAHMA are surely BLACK SABBATH, SOUNDGARDEN, KING CRIMSON, PARADISE LOST, MONSTER MAGNET, ATOMIC ROOSTER, PINK FLOYD, TYPE O NEGATIVE, HAWKWIND, THE BEATLES, ACID KING, NEUROSIS, ALICE IN CHAINS, LEAF HOUND, ESOTERIC…

13. Which bands are you currently digging at the moment. Are there any bands/albums you would like to recommend to our readers.

The past few days, I've been listening to a lot of YOB, ELDER, GURT, MONOLORD, PET THE PREACHER, the new ACID KING's album, DOPETHRONE, DOMADORA… And I'm really looking forward to the new FAITH NO MORE's release. The last ELDER album is really awesome!

I also had the chance to listen to some new demos from ENOS, and believe me, their next release will kick some ass!

14. Is Reflections In The Bowels Of The Bird being released on Vinyl. Or is it just CD/DD at the moment.

Yes, the album will be released on Vinyl, but I do not have the release date yet.

15. What other plans do you have in store for you in 2015. Anything you like to share with our readers.

We gonna tour a lot to promote the album and also try to play live in countries where we've never
been yet. We'll also surely begin to work on some new songs.

16. Well guys thanks for doing this. Before you go, do you have anything to say to your fans.

Thank you for this interview and for your support. Thanks also to all the people supporting, we hope you'll like this new album, and we can't wait to play it live in a venue near you.

Thanks to Seb from ABRAHMA for talking to us at Sludgelord HQ. Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for arranging the interview. Reflections In The Bowels Of The Bird is now available to buy on CD/DD from Smallstone Records now.

Words by Steve Howe and Seb Bismuth

For More Information:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Twitter

The Sludgelord's Sour 16 for April 2015

Welcome to The Sludgelord’s Sour 16. Each month, you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records of the month, covering all genres of metal, but predominately the best the doom, sludge, stoner-psychedelic genres have to offer. I have been promising to do this since the beginning of the year and in essence you can call it what you wish, is it chart? Not really.  It is merely the 16 records you guys have been most interested in over the last month and you have been checking out on this very page.

Our idea for this thing was to turn the power over to you guys, yes it would be easy for us to choose our favourite records of the months, however it is you the reader, the fans that support these bands, buy their records and attend their shows.  So here is the inarguable Sour 16, the 16 records you’re most looking forward too or are currently checking out.  Check em out, spread the word and perhaps revisit some records you may have overlooked.  

The results are compiled based on page views alone and calibrated into the list below. So without further ado, this is the Sour 16. So until next month, roll up, kick back, chug a beer and Hail the riff! All review links, are held under the artwork.   

  

16). Wild Throne – ‘War Is A Romance’ (299 views)

Read the review

15). Ghold – ‘Of Ruin’ (301 views)

Read the review

14). Iced Out – ‘Man’s Ruin’ (304 views)

Read the review

13). Abrahma – ‘Reflections in the Bowels of the Bird’ (305 views)

Read the review

12). Domovoyd – ‘Domovoyd’ (314 views)

Read the review

11). Holy Serpent – ‘Holy Serpent’ (315 views)

Read the review

10). Fister – ‘VI’ (322 views)

Read the review

9). Deep Sea Thunder Beast – ‘So Goes The Madness’ (336 views)

Read the review

8). War Iron – ‘Precession of the Equinoxes’ (361 views)

Read the review

7). Drudkh – ‘A Furrow Cut Short’ (381 views)

Read the review

6). Acid King – ‘Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere’  (383 views)

Read the review

5). Weedpecker – ‘II’ (385 views)

Read the review

4). Red Mountains – ‘Sun’ (475 views)

Read the review

3). The Atomic Bitchwax – ‘Gravitron’ (618 views)

Read the review

2). Stonebirds – ‘Into The Fog...And The Filty Air’ (649 views)

Read the review

1). Faith No More – ‘Sol InVictus’ (985 views)

Read the review

Abrahma - 'Reflections In The Bowels of the Bird' (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 12/5/2015

Label: Small Stone Recording

‘Reflections In The Bowels of the Bird’ CD//DD track listing:

1). Fountains Of Vengeance

2). An Offspring To The Wolves

3). Omens Pt.1

4). Weary Statues

5). Omens Pt.2

6). Kapal Kriya

7). Square the Circle

8). Omens Pt.3

9). A Shepherd’s Grief

10). Conium…

Abrahma is

Sébastien BISMUTH | Vocals, Guitars, Synths and Effects

Nicolas HELLER | Guitars

Guillaume COLIN | Bass guitar

Benjamin COLIN | Drums

Review:

Abrahma, a band on Small Stone that I was actually not familiar with at all,  so with having no previous knowledge of this bands history I’ll base my review from that perspective. First thing about this release that will grab you is the absolutely stunning album artwork, second thing is definitely the title of the record. With a title like “Reflections In The Bowels of a Bird”, I’m thinking “what the hell, is this going to be a death metal record out on small stone?” All kidding aside, not at all just a rather abstract and quizzical album title and what “Reflections In the Bowels of a Bird” is right out of the gate, is a declaration of no bones about it heavy rock record with flourishes of psychedelia and tweaks of nineties era hard rock  Each time I listened to this record I kept having this overall feeling of early nineties grunge nostalgia ala Alice in Chains or Soundgarden, then I read the bands bio, which states that exact thought as being a large influence. The key to this statement is one of influence being injected where needed to augment the bands style not an overall clone of music from that era.

“Fountains of Vengeance” starts the record off with a distortion intro right into a modernized approach on an early nineties hard rock sound. Excellent vocals are immediately noteworthy and a good indication of what we’re in for with the record. Second offering “An Offspring To The Wolves” gets darker and slower on the listener and almost sounds like a different band altogether. Really liked this track for the weight and gravity of it, there were some great parts displayed that built up the urgency of the song and then fly off the handle into a nice weird psychedelic part.

With track three “Omens Pt. 1“ begins a trilogy of more spacey and mellow songs that thread through the record, “Weary Statues” puts forward a faster more aggressive approach until the halfway point where they go into something that reminds me of a spacey Solitude Aeturnus or late 90’s Sentenced, before they jump back into the original attack of the song. This is a very cool and interesting track that makes me look forward to the remainder of the record.

“Omens pt. 2” continues with the mellow and ethereal vibe from part one, bringing  to mind Faith No More in parts. Cool guitar parts weave into the psychedelic effects before matching screams with a jazzy saxophone piece! I love crazy instrumentation on rock records and especially the addition of saxophone so this one hits me. Next up “Kapal Kriya” stretches out the ending of “pt. 2” before becoming its own beast, heavier bass and angry sounding vocals do well for the entire track and this is a stand out track on the record for me. I hate to keep coming up with influences and likeness but this track really pulls heavily from the repertoire of Tool. “Square The Circle” comes off as a fast, almost radio friendly hard rock/metal song. Not my thing, but I believe fans of the band will dig it.

“Omens Pt. 3” is a much darker concluding chapter to the trilogy, more dire and dismal in all ways and kind of sets the tone for the last quarter of the record. Next up is “A Shepherds Grief” and this song features Ed Mundell formerly of TAB and Monster Magnet fame, as one would expect it’s got his signature guitar tone all over it. This is a good tune and I like it a lot, more of a straight ahead rocker that showcases the vocal talents as well as the fuzzier direction the band can take. Finally “Conium” closes out the record on the note of a more solemn rocker, sort of a ballad with a dire and somber tone. I might be missing something but it seems like Abrahma decided to close out their second record with a sense of hopelessness and doom but in an accessible way.

So to wrap things up, if you’ve got a yearning for something harkening back to early nineties grunge tinged psychedelia that provides you with a straight ahead rock with chops and hooks to spare, this will definitely be a release for you!

Words by: David Heaton

‘Reflections In The Bowels of the Bird’ is available here

For more information:

http://abrahmamusic.net/ | https://abrahma.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ABRAHMAMUSIC | https://twitter.com/abrahmamusic

The Sludgelord News: ABRAHMA Reveal New Album Artwork on Smallstone Records

Paris-based heavy psych outfit ABRAHMA just unveiled more details on their sophomore record "Reflections In The Bowels Of A Bird", due out mid-May on Small Stone Records.

"Reflections In The Bowels Of A Bird" will be ABRAHMA's second full-length on Small Stone Records, and features prestigious guests such as Ed Mundell (Monster Magnet, The Atomic Bitchwax), as well as Thomas Bellier (Black Heat Shujaa) as its co-producer. Its fabulously coloured artwork was created by Barcelona's artist Jalónde Aquiles.

The band released a teaser that displays all album details as well as the release date for their upcoming video "An Offspring To The Wolves".

Get a full insight into ABRAHMA's new record NOW 

Forcefully ascending from the depths of Paris rock underground, it only took ABRAHMA one album to emerge as one of the torchbearers of French heavy rock on the international scene. Released in late 2012 on renowned North American label Small Stone Records, "Through The Dusty Paths Of Our Lives" unveiled an incredibly mature songwriting, while showcasing the band’s sombre and complex music realm. With this first full-length, they laid the foundations of their peculiar stoner aura adorned with the darkest riffage of the Seattle sound, and drew the attention of the international press. 2015 will see the Parisian foursome release their second album to date, due out this spring on Small Stone Records.

UPCOMING SHOWS:

09.04 - STRASBOURG (FR) Mudd Club
10.04 - LICHTENFELS (DE) Paucnhy Cats Inn
11.04 - MUNSTER (DE) Rare Guitar
12.04 - TILBURG (NL) Roadburn Festival
13.04 - France TBA
14.04 - MONTPELLIER (FR) Black Sheep
15.04 - MADRID (SP) Maravillas Club
16.05 - BARCELONA (SP) Rocksound
17.05 - VITORIA (SP) Helldorado
18.04 - NICE (FR) Le Volume
19.04 - Italy TBA
20.04 - SAVIGNANO SUL RUBICONE (IT) Sidro Club
21.04 - MUNICH (DE) Orange House
22.04 - DRESDEN (DE) Ost-Pol
23.04 - BERLIN (DE) Desertfest Berlin

www.abrahmamusic.net www.facebook.com/ABRAHMAMUSIC www.twitter.com/ABRAHMAMUSIC www.smallstone.com

Live Review : Mother Corona, Abrahma, Enos, Santiagos, Leeds, UK, 4/3/2014

Live Review :

Well this certainly isn’t Sky Valley, California that’s for sure.  There is no desert in sight, this is Leeds, England on a cold Tuesday evening, however Mother Corona are borne from the same cloth as Desert Rock legends, Kyuss and they were second on a bill of four tonight.  Following on from Skandal, who I missed due to my late attendance (sorry guys), you could be forgiven for thinking it was the legendary band up there, busting out their fuzz ridden gems to a captive audience.

Tonight, Oxford 3 piece Mother Corona are every bit as dynamic and grand as those legends before them, full of groove and bounce, they are quite simply brilliant.  Drummer/vocalist David Oglesby has a vocal style reminiscent to John Garcia, (when is that ever a bad thing), but he never comes across as derivative, his performance oozes with swagger, he and certainly the band are a class proposition.  

You can’t fail to be impressed with the bass heavy tone of the guitars, riffs sound warm and dirty.  Mother Corona produced a tight and mesmerising performance and have songs of impeccable quality, the tone of their music causing this tiny room to shudder, with the gargantuan amounts of crush they delivered.  I found myself nonchalantly and somewhat hypnotically nodding along.  Top quality stuff and to put it mildly, if Josh Homme was still writing songs of this quality, more people would actually give a shit.  With a new album out in the spring, the future is looking damn rosy for this Oxford 3 piece.  Superb stuff indeed. 

Being signed to renowned label, Small Stone Recordings is no mean feat, indeed when you think of quality psych, stoner, fuzz rock., they are the 15 year old single malt.  Having released their debut full length, Through the Dusty Paths of Our Lives, the band formerly known as Alcohsonic produced one of the records of the year in 2012, hell I was gushing about it myself.  Kicking things off, like a proverbially acid trip, Abrahma were on top of their game from the outset, with front man Seb Bismuth the orchestrator.   

Musically there is an abundance of layering to their sound, added to the grunge infusion of the riffs.  The band themselves are tight and powerful, coming across with a rawness live that is perhaps tempered somewhat on record.  Neptune of Sorrow is incredible; indeed there is a sensibility to the vocals reminiscent of Jeff Buckley particularly on tracks which rely on mood rather than riffs.  The multitude of effects adds a degree of ambience and space, the wave of sound enveloping the small audience, altering your state of consciousness and creating an almost hypnotic or hallucinogenic atmosphere, like a religious transcendence.  The highlight of their set indeed of the evening, is their brilliant rendition of classic Soundgarden track, Searching with My Good Eye Closed, they rip through it with aplomb, taking the original blueprint and making it their own.  Based on this performance and the quality of their music, Abrahma should be huge.  With a new record in the works and more touring, this Parisian four piece are on the cusp of greatness. 

I have been a fan of ENOS’ blend of intergalactic sci-fi based Psych Stoner Rock for the last few years now and they impressed the hell out of me with their last record, All Too Human, which I still listen to on a regular basis.  With recent tours with Abrahma label mates Mangoo, as well as Rescue Rangers, these guys have been well travelled road warriors over the last 12 months.  Tonight, ENOS translated their massive sound brilliantly well to the live arena, and with Mother Corona and Abrahma impressing the crowd in attendance, they had a difficult act to follow.

ENOS did not disappoint and got straight down to business with a blistering 45 minute set showcasing songs from their superb back catalogue. I was blown away by their performance.  ENOS were on fire throughout with epic riffs being played to an appreciative audience.  Lead singer/guitarist Chris; put his heart and soul into this performance with the ENOS brotherhood putting in a great performance, especially Sparky Rogers on the drums. Sure there may have been a few technical issues, but that didn't stop ENOS putting in a mesmerizing performance from start to finish.

ENOS did treat the audience to some new material and it sounds as good as their earlier stuff. I can't wait to hear this new material on their next full album as ENOS have tons of great ideas waiting to be fully explored.  Tonight, they proved they are one of the best UK Stoner Rock bands on the scene. If you get the chance to see them, do so, because this band of intergalactic riff-lords are an excellent live act, with great tunes to back-up their undeniable talent.

Words by : Aaron Pickford (Mother Corona, Abrahma) & Steve Howe (Enos)



Abrahma - 'Through The Dusty Paths Of Our Lives' (Album Review)

By: Aaron Pickford

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 24/07/2012

Label: Small Stone Records

Potent, majestic and choc full of hooks, this Parisian quartet have produced a master class of hypnotic, trippy groove based jams, which dazzles with cosmic spaced out hallucinogenic songs, packed to the rafters with ambience, soul and transcending everything you might have heard before.

‘Through The Dusty Paths of Our Lives’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1.  Alpha                                                 

2.  Neptune Of Sorrow                                  

3.  Tears Of The Sun                                     

4.  Dandelion Dust                                        

5.  Honkin’ Water Roof                                 

6.  Loa’s Awakening (Prelude)                   

7.  Vodun Pt. 1 Samedi’s Awakening          

8.  Big Black Cloud                                     

9.  Headless Horse                                         

10.  Vodun Pt. 2: I, Zombie                           

11.  Oceans On Sand…                                 

12.  …Here Sleep Ghosts                              

13.  Vodun Pt. 3: Final Asagwe                    

14.  The Maze                                               

15.  Omega                                                     

Abrahma is:

Sebastien Bismuth | Vocals, guitar,

Nicolas Heller | Guitar

Guillaume Colin | Bass

Benjamin Colin | Drums

The Review:

So Small Stone Records have come up trumps again, seemingly plucking a band from obscurity and Abrahma repaying that faith in spades, delivering a startlingly brilliant record.  This record has it all and is as close to perfection as you can get.  ‘Through The Dusty Paths Of Our Lives’ isn’t so much an album but a monolithic journey of stoner rock ecstasy, inducing mind bending psychedelic delirium, due to the presence of ultra heavy riffs, proto-metal influences, acid tinged rock and a hint of alternative grunge.  Yet despite the inspiration of the stoner rock progeny being present on the album, it remains fresh and vibrant; it is a thunderous tour de force.

Potent, majestic and choc full of hooks, this Parisian quartet have produced a master class of hypnotic, trippy groove based jams, which dazzles with cosmic spaced out hallucinogenic songs, packed to the rafters with ambience, soul and transcending everything you might have heard before.  The first three tracks “Neptune of Sorrow,” “Tears of the Sun,” and “Dandelion Dust” are just breath taking.  Encapsulating dense bass grooves, with multifarious reverberation and texture, the grungy vocals add charisma and personality to the tracks, with layers of epic riffs and unyielding rhythmic drums.

This album continues with awe-inspiring vigour throughout the course of its 15 songs, ‘Headless Horse’ with its Jeff Buckley tinged psychedelic arpeggio and tripped out vocals, circle and envelop the far reaches of your psyche.   The titanic and labyrinthine track, ‘The Maze’ to the ‘Vodun’ trilogy, the entire record is a blistering exhibition of stoner rock brilliance.  Forget Alcohsonic and all hail the new flesh, because Abrahma’s debut is a psychedelic, grunge infused masterpiece.  Well done guys.

Band info: Bandcamp | Facebook | Offical Page