Thursday 17 November 2016

Weedsnake - Reburn (Album Review)


Release date: November 09th 2016. Label: Loud, Slow and Distorted Riffs. Format: DD

Reburn – Tracklisting

1.LSDemon 04:49
2.Psychoactive 05:48
3.Serpiente de Hierba 03:25
4.Bribong 03:40
5.Green Fever 07:30
6.Weedlords 06:32
7.Pothead 04:08
8.Monte de Venus 12:57

Band Members:

Alex Cruz - Vocals
Etziel Mendez - Guitar
Fernando Cabrera - Bass
Nicolas Silveira - Drums

Review:

I consider Weedsnake as one of the finest bands to come from the Mexican Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. They impressed me a great deal back in 2011 when they released their debut album. That album seen the band win a loyal following within the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community.

It's been 5 long years and the band have returned with their new album – Reburn. An album built on huge sludge riffs and Alex's death based vocals. This is a different album to their debut record. Their debut album focused mainly on the Stoner Metal side of things but Reburn sees the band opt for a more primal based sound. Sure there are still elements of Stoner vibes but it's solely driven by heavy brutal Doom/Sludge riffs.

If you're a fan of Dopethrone then you find a lot of common ground with Weedsnake. The opening two tracks – LSDemon and Psychoactive – create a brooding nightmare fuelled by the nastiest weed on the planet. Obviously drugs plays a massive part on the album with Weedsnake's sound. The instrumental work is very raw at times but it allows Weedsnake to play a more stripped back approach. The drumming by Nicolas can be shaky at times but overall he plays some heavy beats for the band to build their riffs upon.

The tone and atmosphere of the album never really changes as most of the songs follow the same path that LSDemon and Psychoactive played earlier. That's no bad thing as you know what to expect throughout the album. Though Weedsnake add elements of Blues/Psych Rock into their music for a more unsettling sound.

The standout track has to be the final 13 minute epic - Monte De Venus. A nightmarish tale of droned out riffs and distorted sounds that will make your skin crawl. The vocals are pitch black and this is perhaps the heaviest song that Weedsnake have recorded. It's a great song to end the album with. As it leaves you in a bleak mood wondering what the hell did you just experience.

Reburn is one of the more challenging Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal albums currently out there. So don't go expecting an easy ride as this album is completely FUCKED UP. I mean that as a compliment. It's an album that gets under your skin and it won't let go until the final seconds have passed.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp