2015.
Stoner Metal, Hard Rock.
"Evil or Divine" is the latest album by Swedish Heavy Metal band Sideburn released on the Metalville label. Sideburn have quite a retro sound that I would say is Stoner Metal with classic Heavy Metal and Hard Rock influences thrown in. It is easy to hear bits of Sabbath, Dio and Maiden in the riffs and vocals. Each of the seven tracks on "Evil or Divine" are driven by Sideburn's knack for playing irresistibly catchy lead riffs. From the moment you put on the record, the opening riff of "Masters and Slaves" hooks you in. A crunchy and meaty slowed down riff, followed by psychedelic reverb tinged vocals.
The first two tracks are definitely the heaviest, but after that the album becomes more chilled out, although still with plenty of fantastic riffs. "When Darkness Calls" is pure Zeppelin territory with a Bluesy motif running through it, whilst my favourite track "The Day the Sun Died", is darker and gloomier. There are little bits of cheesiness throughout the record, but in acceptable doses. "Evil Ways" is pure classic rock radio sounding, whilst closing track "Presence" leans towards being an epic ballad. Sideburn aren't afraid to put in big choruses, but these are well balanced alongside their psychedelic sounding Stoner riffs.
If you prefer your Stoner Metal to Smack you in the face and crush you to death like Sleep or Electric Wizard, this might not be the album for you. But if you like the more relaxed and chilled side of the genre then I would recommend it. "Evil or Divine" isn't far from the likes of Kyuss' "And the Circus Leaves Town" or The Sword's "High Country". 7/10.
No comments:
Post a Comment