Written by Carcassbomb
- Superfat
- Guadal
- Stoner rock/prog
- Argentina
- May 2019
- 7.8/10
May has been a hell of a month for stoner music fans with a whole slew of high quality releases. I’ve been listening to this genre so much lately mostly because that’s where the art leads me and holy fuck what a first impression this record gives. Insane design work by Vice Ilustrados. One of the most impressive pieces I’ve seen with so much detail, coloring, theme and framing that is just spot on. Love the little mushrooms on the wooden surfboard. There’s a lot of doom to smile at here. This record is a great story for me because of the relationship between the band and the artist here being so personal and mutual. It’s a collaboration more than a commission with both parties crediting and respecting each other. It’s exactly what I like to see here at Noob Heavy where the art matters.
Musically this is a decent record too. It has a lot more rock energy than I’m used to, it would be perfect for hanging with a bunch of friends or driving to a show. I know that sounds stupid now that I’m reading it back but I mean it doesn’t drone on so much or go too shoegaze. They’re like the rock version of Conan with how the beat feels like it’s tumbling towards something, just with less of the sludge and metal aspects.
When they do drone it’s isolated to one or two tracks where that’s the whole point of the track, it goes psychedelic post rock at those times. The whole record is constructed quite well in that way where there’s a variety of tracks that stay focused on the core of their sound or main riff. This also comes with some tracks that are weaker than the rest however, so it’s not a perfect ride. I’d say those tracks are in the middle, the ending track more than makes up for it and brings the attention back.
Typically I’m used to stoner orientated music being more organic or acoustic sounding. Or outright gain fueled feedback. This has some modern space vibes created with almost triphop sounding samples. It’s a neat take that lies comfortably between the two extremes. The synth really helps with that, because it makes it feel like Blade Runner or something rather than old wood and wind space from the Hawkwind days. I think this could dictate their direction quite a lot as it has done with many metal bands throughout time. As is the story of my favorite band HORSE The Band. When used right a synth, a banjo or even a triangle can lead towards a signature sound, that extra memorable element.
They are awesome dudes who are pretty underground right now, still not quite transmitting here from Argentina yet. I’m thinking that’s going to change in the very near future because there’s a lot for stoners world wide to appreciate here, if even just for the art. Overall it’s a solid debut album that shows a lot of future potential and a lot of current talent.
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