Woodcreeper - Mephisto's Kite

 

 

Woodcreeper - Mephisto's Kite
Self-released - June 2021
Stoner, alternative, psych
Rated: *****

Iowa's weird and wonderful Woodcreeper are back with their much anticipated second album, and it more than meets expectations. Mephisto's Kite is an alternative stoner rock delight, chock-full of groove with the band's signature warmth, while hiding a surprise around every turn. The excellent vocals are still charismatic and raw, but with more group vocals this time around to add a classy extra oomph. Opener "Chicory Witch" starts things off with thrumming fuzz and agile, busy drums to create an easy nod. Momentum builds until some bluesy, crunchy guitar kicks in, hinting at the soaring psych solo to bring the song to an epic close over crashing kitwork. Follow-up "Lavos Cronos" continues the bassy, bouncing grooves with some extra stoner heft, setting a firm foundation for punkier singing backed by hard-hitting gang vocals. In true Woodcreeper fashion, out of left field comes a frenetic sax solo that sounds eastern one second and Mars Volta-level spastic the next. Yet another curveball comes with the title track, a ballad with shimmering warmth that still absolutely stomps between choruses. At the risk of spoiling much more of the fun, before album's end the trio manage to fit in a Hendrix-channeling solo on "Ezekiel", classic rock boogie on "Puddy Cat Twist", and caustic riff assaults in closer "Orchid Gore", with a scorching space-bound solo as the cherry on top. Woodcreeper is still one of the best-kept secrets in stoner rock, but if Mephisto's Kite is any indication these madmen won't be under the radar for long.

(Written by Shasta Beast)

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Space Burial - Mudtrout

  

Space Burial - Mudtrout
Self released - September 2020
Psych, space, blues, stoner
Rated: ****

Dubuque, Iowa's psych rock outfit Space Burial return for their third album Mudtrout, and keep things fresh as ever as they experiment further with their sound. Where their sophomore effort "Celestial Seed" leaned more towards the space and doom ends of the spectrum, Mudtrout brings a bluesy lightness that meshes perfectly with a potent sense of melancholy. The opening title track is the exception, dealing out rollicking, southern fried distortion and driving riffs. Aptly titled follow-up "Procession" then hits all the harder as the vibes quickly turn mournful, with delicate guitar tip-toeing between the thrumming bass's rolling groove. The low end is satisfyingly high in the mix, a constant across the album, and is soon joined by a gritty layer of distortion and a bouncing, earworm riff. Guitar and drums urgently swell to a cathartic finale, making for a 9 minute-plus epic of a track. The following tracks build on the underlying sadness at play while shifting styles between reggae, blues, and more, with even a protest song in "Emperor's New Clothes". High, laid-back vocals stroll throughout and take the spotlight in closer "Honey", a gentle ballad with shuffling drums and somber guitar. Space Burial push ever forward in their creative evolution, and Mudtrout is an emotional and very welcome surprise in their growing catalogue.

(Written by Shasta Beast)

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Woodcreeper – I

Woodcreeper – I

Self released - August 2019

Stoner, Sludge, Doom, Noise, Punk

Rated: ****

From the woods of Dubuque, Iowa thunders in genre-defying three-piece Woodcreeper with their debut EP “I”. Sporting a mix of stoner, sludge, prog, noise, and punk, Woodcreeper cover a vast array of our favorite genres but have melded them into their own sound, which just so happens to be catchy as hell. “New Cerulean” kicks things off with a riff of sludgy doom, but quickly morphs into something more when the vocals kick in, the icing on top of the trio’s sound. Brutal and earnest, the punky vibes of main vocalist and guitarist Andy Benson (fellow blogger Nerve Salad), adds a whole new layer to each of Woodcreeper’s songs, never mimicking the riff too closely while creating an energetic and edgy atmosphere. Benson’s delivery is a constant treat through the rest of the EP, but instrumentally we’re delivered a series of curveballs, from the spacey Nebula vibes of “Cresset Syndrome”, to the classy and sexy groove of “Pyschopiatus Riffinitum” (contender for song title of the year), and the Sabbath doom of “Crustagion”. Through all the twists and turns, Woodcreeper have forged their own distinct, familiar yet impossible-to-pin-down sound out of a melting pot of all things heavy, with a raw vocal delivery that turns all it touches to gold. If this is just them getting started, Woodcreeper is one to keep your peepers on.

(Written by Kyle)

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