Stoned Jesus

Seven Thunders Roar

Written by: TAJ on 22/01/2013 00:19:07

Stoned Jesus. Nobody can deny it's a bit of a peculiar band name, yet a fitting moniker for the Ukrainian trio, when only their first record “First Communion” was out as it was a typical doom record with strong slow riffs. Now they are on their second full length release “Seven Thunders Roar” which seems to have blown them out of the doom haze and surfaced with a record which is amazingly ambitious.

It goes for many bands in this stoner/doom/retro-rock (or whatever other names this scene goes by) revival, we see booming these days, that being able to pinpoint their inspiration in shape of a handful of larger band names is quite easy. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it makes the task of standing out between the continuously growing amount of similar bands difficult. With “Seven Thunders Roar” a vast amount of lines would be needed to name inspirations, hence when making “Seven Thunders Roar” these three Ukrainian fellows must have been in a ”We want to do it all” mindset as they have spread their inspirational wings to a significant width using components from various genres. A dangerous take which requires the band to be deft to end up with a true succession.

This record has been in my collection for some time but it’s only now on the other side of 2012 that I’ve gotten time to review it, which has given it time to really sink in. My initial response with “Seven Thunders Roar” was ecstatic for numerous reasons – for one it has great variety of its kind as it clearly draws inspiration from many corners of the whole stoner/doom/retro-rock scene and implements those together in a manner that results in small details keeping it an interesting listen throughout every song, making unexpected turns that takes you by surprise. To highlight one example “Electric Mistress” commence in a straightforward manner following a well known formula of catchy, heavy, up-tempo riffing with classic guitar soloing fitted in as well, but when the song seems to have reached its end, a low down doom part replaces the expected song gap lasting for around three minutes and then leading back to the up-tempo which rounds off the song nicely. By listening to a record over a longer period of time, such small unexpected details tend to end up in one of two following two cases: Either being redundant dull implements that draw attention from the main style of the album or, as is is the case with “Seven Thunders Roar”, features that are positively memorable in the way that makes them pop up in your mind moments before they appear and make you mentally await them. This gives the effect that makes you want to not skip a single second of a song as soon as it starts playing.

Another remarkable thing is that the stunning cover art is not just for show as “Seven Thunders Roar” is sort of a concept album with an Indian theme. Besides the artwork; intro song “Bright Like The Morning” starts with calming waves and quiet bird sounds as the hushed instruments sneak in and slowly take over. There's also “Indian” which not only by title fits but also by being narrated from the point of view of an Indian. Noticeably this concept does not eat up the whole record in a “everything has to be about Indians” way or instrumentally sound native American manner, but rather small details and drawing upon a special feel resembling values of Indian virtues – power rooted in the strong bond with nature, a reflecting view of life and a humbleness due to being part of a larger than life importance. The song writing is also on a high level of quality and the kind that nurtures reflecting thoughts. This alongside the concept feel seems only to amplify the overall atmosphere. The singing is also performed with emotion in a way that makes the lyrics seem very honest. Ranging from frail brighter pitches to almost (or once) actual roaring. Both are present in “I''m The Mountain” which is the lengthiest song on the album as it starts out very quiet with acoustic guitar and with progressions in the riffing and melody slowly building towards it's peak where “IIIII'M THE MOUNTAAAAAIIIIIIIN” is roared with the power of seven thunders.

Instrumentally the album seems very balanced, as every instrument gets to shine, all of which is seen in the latter part of “Indian” where the riffing periodically stops and shifts between playful guitar. Bass and drum solo parts are snuck in providing a playful vibe reminiscent of a live show. In general all different instruments just get their roles and are used for progression and changes of the soundscape throughout the songs - Contrasting some bands in this genre where the guitar grasps the major role.

All these positive remarks always sound good, but what is of greatest importance is how everything actually plays together. In short: “Seven Thunders Roar” is successful in bringing a lot of different elements together without sacrificing a feel of unity of the record. The only adverse matter I can point out is that you'll find no revolutionary inventions for the genre. But that's not needed to make great music and on all other aspects I find it highly potent and the kind of record that for every play unfolds another detail or angle of itself and now, by numerous spins, I have come to find it a masterpiece of a myriad of facets.

9

Download: I'm The Mountain, Electric Mistress, Indian.
For The Fans Of: Elder, Colour Haze, Black Pyramid, Spirit Caravan, Arenna
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Release Date 26.03.2012
Moon Records

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