1968
Cheshire, you may be surprised to learn, is nothing like the swamps of New Orleans. Yet, 1968's sound is saturated with the sludge found in so many bands from that area. But, rather than sound solely as if COC, Eyehategod, and Down were tossed in a blender, there are also hints of Kyuss, Monster Magnet, Sleep, and (whisper it) 'Load'-era Metallica. You would be forgiven for thinking that this album came straight from the nineties. If it weren't for the clipped production of course. I'm not going on another Loudness War rant but listening through headphones is a chore. There, we'll have no more on that.
'Ballads of the Godless' is unashamedly steeped in the sounds of the seventies; blues rock filtered through Big Muffs. These are drawn-out jams set to glaze your eyes. But, the songs are deftly composed and performed; they never linger too long, despite the free-form nature of the compositions. It's uncanny how they've taken Sleep's penchant for meandering around simple chord progressions, but made it pop with energy. It's alchemic and brilliant. A great example of this is 'McQueen', which blends all the band's elements into a single near-seven-minute masterpiece; complete with Doors-esque poetic mid-section.
The guitar playing from Sam Orr is incredibly tasteful; not flashy but displaying serious chops when required. I struggled to hear much of the bass, but that seems appropriate to the genre; low frequencies to back up the rhythm. The drums pound away in a very Ginger Baker fashion; borderline chaotic, but solid nonetheless. Jimi Coppack's vocals trace a path from Jim Morrison to Pepper Keenan. I'd like to see them live, as I imagine the experience is like that on the record.
I thought I'd long tired of this style of music. COC's last album was interesting for a few fleeting moments, trading on the return of Pepper to the ranks. But, largely, I cannot think of the last sludgy album that held my interest for too long. 1968 have proved that it's a dearth of stimulating song writing that's to blame, by birthing such a majestic and concise groove baby. Long may they continue. Groovy!
'Ballads of the Godless' is unashamedly steeped in the sounds of the seventies; blues rock filtered through Big Muffs. These are drawn-out jams set to glaze your eyes. But, the songs are deftly composed and performed; they never linger too long, despite the free-form nature of the compositions. It's uncanny how they've taken Sleep's penchant for meandering around simple chord progressions, but made it pop with energy. It's alchemic and brilliant. A great example of this is 'McQueen', which blends all the band's elements into a single near-seven-minute masterpiece; complete with Doors-esque poetic mid-section.
The guitar playing from Sam Orr is incredibly tasteful; not flashy but displaying serious chops when required. I struggled to hear much of the bass, but that seems appropriate to the genre; low frequencies to back up the rhythm. The drums pound away in a very Ginger Baker fashion; borderline chaotic, but solid nonetheless. Jimi Coppack's vocals trace a path from Jim Morrison to Pepper Keenan. I'd like to see them live, as I imagine the experience is like that on the record.
I thought I'd long tired of this style of music. COC's last album was interesting for a few fleeting moments, trading on the return of Pepper to the ranks. But, largely, I cannot think of the last sludgy album that held my interest for too long. 1968 have proved that it's a dearth of stimulating song writing that's to blame, by birthing such a majestic and concise groove baby. Long may they continue. Groovy!
LABEL:
FORMAT:
HeviSike
Album
BALLADS OF THE GODLESS
Review by Steve Cowan
RUNNING TIME:
39:06
RELEASE DATE:
6th July 2018
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
2) Screaming Sun
3) Temple of the Acidwolf
4) S.J.D.
5) Chemtrail Blues
6) McQueen
7) The Hunted
8) Mother of God
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
UK
"Groovy!"
