ALBUM REVIEW: Sativa Root - "Oneiroid"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 17/02/2018

Label: Marijunaut Records

Sativa Root manages to sound fresh and original, doing a doom and sludge infused sound that seems more methodical and strong than meditative. The absolutely ripping "Morlock" makes it clear Sativa Root is worth checking out if you get a chance to see them live. Powerful stuff.

“Oneiroid” CD//DD track listing

1. Intro

2. Bloodrigs

3. Funeral of the Witch

4. Deathclaw

5. Tabarnak

6. Morlock

The Review:

2018 has begun with the announcement of a slew of zombie films. Day of the Dead: Bloodline, Patient Zero, The Forest of Hands and Teeth and the Rise of the Living Dead are just four of the movies joining World War Z 2 this year. This horror genre is polarizing – you love it, or you hate it – but it is indisputably popular worldwide with audiences. And the latest evolution, spawned largely by 28 Days Later, of chaotic, sprinting monsters, is similarly rattling – not just because such is a departure for creator George A. Romero's vision, but because the very idea of flesh-eating furies chasing you at full gallop and stoppable only with headshots feels completely disturbing. Shambling undead are the stuff of black and white movies. Raving beasts are the stuff of colorful nightmares.

If you close your eyes and think of one of these new incarnations on film, with snarling, scrambling dirt-and-blood-covered maniacs coming for you, it is a guarantee that the zombie apocalypse would be soundtracked by "Oneiroid," the new album by Sativa Root.

Instrumental metal is arguably some of the purest of extreme music out there, because it is solely about the concoctions the bands put together. Mood is determined by your imagination rather than lyrics. With Austrian doom/sludge trio Sativa Root, the music is some of the more immersive metal you will find, as it is absolutely claustrophobic from "Bloodrigs" (the introductory cut is ultra-short) onward. Power chords, massive drums and muddy bass rule the day from the start, and then into "Funeral of the Witch."

There are many really great instrumental metal acts – Major Kong pops to mind immediately – and Sativa Root takes its place among them, putting in impressive work on "Deathclaw." Similarly, a track like "Tabarnak" is immense in the ground it covers and the sheer quality of what the band offers. Sativa Root manages to sound fresh and original, doing a doom and sludge infused sound that seems more methodical and strong than meditative. The absolutely ripping "Morlock" makes it clear Sativa Root is worth checking out if you get a chance to see them live. Powerful stuff.

"Oneiroid" is available here:

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Sativa Root - 'Dark Days' EP (Review)

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 13/03/2015

Label: Self Released

‘Dark Days’ DD track listing:

1). Dark Days

2). La Bestia

Sativa Root is:

Stonerhead | Guitar
Isaak | Drums
Fant | Bass 

Review:

Sativa Root, purveyors of finely crafted doom instrumentals are back with another short trip, entitled 'Dark Days'. The Austrian trio (who's guitar player goes by the fantastic monicker of 'Stonerhead') know their way around a riff and this two track EP offers a taste of where they're heading.

The title track kicks things off with a murkey, low-fi bass riff, one that inspires a slow doom headbang. The only flicker of melody on offer is a haunting lead guitar that drifts in and out of the track. It's all led by simple yet entirely effective Electric Wizard-esque drumming.

The pace is quickened with second track 'La Bestia'. A barrage of crunchy, fuzzy riffs ebb and flow under some impressive lead guitar work. The riffing opens up and the space the band create (aided by the lack of vocals) makes the whole thing sound suitably huge.

This EP did exactly what all great EP's do. It was all over far too quickly and it left you wanting so much more. It's a very strong indication of what this band is capable of producing which is trippy, heavy, melodic doom music that remains interesting even without vocals, something few bands can pull off. If you're new to heavy instrumental music, this a fine place to start. If this is your thing, prepare to be left hungry for more.

Words by: Rhys Miles

‘Dark Days’ is available here

For more information:

Listen: https://sativaroot.bandcamp.com/album/dark-days-ep

Like: https://www.facebook.com/Sativa.Root

Sativa Root - S/T - EP Review

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 13^th April 2014

Label: Self Released

Sativa Root S/T track listing:

1.El Topo 07:57

2.Black Mass Mountain 11:37

3.World Lament 11:22

4.I'm the Sun 05:57

5.Red Desert 07:53

Bio:

Whereas the hot summer of 2011 drew nearly everyone to the local beach or bar, snipping colourful cocktails, four dudes spent their leisure time at an old dirty practice room, drinking beer and trying to figure out what the heart of every band is; riffs, riffs and yes, even more riffs. Not restricting themselves to any kind of genre, they shamlessly draw influences from your mum‘s lovely hippie bands of the 70s, to classic desert-driven Stoner-Rock, over to deep doom and fuzzy Sludge Riffs. Sativa Root play instrumental music, covering the full range between heavy discordant parts and soft melodic passages.

That's it...

We shared the stage with bands like: Kylesa, Red Fang, Planet of Zeus, Weedeater, Black Tusk, Naam, Underdogs, The Black Rainbows and others

The Band Members

Stonerhead - Lead Guitar (since 2011)

Romantic Man - Guitar (since 2011)

Bam Bam - Drums (since 2012)

Fant - Bass (2013)

Review:

Sativa Root is an instrumental Doom/Stoner Metal band with elements of Psychedelic Rock thrown in for good measure. You’re probably thinking not another Instrumental Doom/Stoner Metal Band. Does the world need another band like this? Well on this evidence. Yeah we actually do need Sativa Root in the realm of Doom/Stoner Metal as they guys are seriously good.

It also helps they have a well-known blogging colleague of mine by the name of Stonerhead in their ranks as lead guitarist. Stonerhead runs the excellent blog – Stonerhead Let Groove Your Brains Tonight. Sativa Root is his other passion and what a band it is. They have just released their debut S/T EP. A collection of songs that you may of heard of before if you’re already a fan of this band. But it’s cool to hear all of the Sativa Root material all on one action packed EP that will have you rocking out in no time at all.

The low-down of this EP its 44 minutes of bass heavy psychedelic doom/stoner metal riffs that packs an almighty punch. If you’re a fan of Karma to Burn, Earthless and Sardonis then you seriously need to check this out now. Sativa Root do bring their own style to the party as they are a lot more psychedelic compared to other instrumental stoner metal bands and it works in their favour.

The EP’s standout tracks are Black Mass Mountain and World Lament as it shows what Sativa Root are all about. Long, epic and hazy dreamlike riffs that take you to another world before the band unleash the heaviness of their music onto an unsuspecting listener. Both of these tracks run past the 11-minute mark and I am huge fan of epic songs, as I want to be entertained and challenged at the same time. These tracks have many different levels to them and I applaud the band for writing some truly epic riffs that will have you coming back for more.

Plus any band that includes a soundclip from the world’s most legendary martial artist – Bruce Lee – as an opening to their track has to be checked out. All am saying.

Sativa Root’s debut EP is an excellent release, which bodes well for their debut album that will be released sometime in 2015. Until then this EP will do for now before Sativa Root unleash their magic onto an unsuspecting world and I for one will be waiting with excitement.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

You can buy Sativa Root S/T EP from BandCamp now.

Check The Band from links below.

Facebook

BandCamp

Written by Steve Howe