stoner rock / hard rock
Spring is here so we have to start preparing for the summer festivals. I can almost smell the grass of the now calm meadows that will soon be turned into frenzied rock 'n roll temples. Soon, the stages will pop-up, along with booze, eat and merch stand. Soon, thousands of rockers will enjoy at least one day in the park while rockers of all places and age blast their riffs through the massive speakers. Undoubtedly, I will be among them a few times and perhaps General Cluster can join in on the fun too. With their in-your-face stoner metal, they will have the peeps on such a now calm meadow on their feet with their intense riffing.
General Cluster is a band from France, Grenoble to be exact. Since their inception, they have released two EP's, now followed by their first full length. Their music is a heavy blend of alternative rock and stoner metal, with some vocals inspired by either the black, death of post-metal scene. But, most importantly perhaps, these Frenchies rock like there is no tomorrow as the song fiercy follow each other.
The fun already starts with opener 'No One's Bitch', which is a genuine stoner rock track. Immediately, influences from Kyuss, Fu Manchu and Red Fang become clear as the band comes up with heaps of groove and energy. From then on, we're on a wild ride, one that only occasionally takes back a bit of gas. 'The Rover' and 'Shield Wall' are just as convincing, with the ladder banging on the gates of the extreme.
However, we haven't mentioned doom metal here. I mean, every stoner metal band will occasionally create a slower track and that track quite often turns into uncorrupted doom metal. On this album, 'Voices' takes on that role, bringing acts like Electric Wizard to mind. Soon after, they raise the tempo again, resulting in my favorite track here, the heavy blues rocker 'Let's Go Porn'.
Or maybe the riff-loaded 'Mountains' is my favorite, a fast stoner metal track that will undoubtedly cause some crowdsurfers, moshpits and stage divers to appear. I wouldn't mind and I wouldn't be surprised. This is high quality and highly enjoyable groovy metal that all fans of the aforementioned bands can certainly appreciate. Besides, and perhaps most importantly, in a genre that steadily turns towards the generic, General Cluster definitely stands out with an irresistible and well varied sound.
Serge
General Cluster is a band from France, Grenoble to be exact. Since their inception, they have released two EP's, now followed by their first full length. Their music is a heavy blend of alternative rock and stoner metal, with some vocals inspired by either the black, death of post-metal scene. But, most importantly perhaps, these Frenchies rock like there is no tomorrow as the song fiercy follow each other.
The fun already starts with opener 'No One's Bitch', which is a genuine stoner rock track. Immediately, influences from Kyuss, Fu Manchu and Red Fang become clear as the band comes up with heaps of groove and energy. From then on, we're on a wild ride, one that only occasionally takes back a bit of gas. 'The Rover' and 'Shield Wall' are just as convincing, with the ladder banging on the gates of the extreme.
However, we haven't mentioned doom metal here. I mean, every stoner metal band will occasionally create a slower track and that track quite often turns into uncorrupted doom metal. On this album, 'Voices' takes on that role, bringing acts like Electric Wizard to mind. Soon after, they raise the tempo again, resulting in my favorite track here, the heavy blues rocker 'Let's Go Porn'.
Or maybe the riff-loaded 'Mountains' is my favorite, a fast stoner metal track that will undoubtedly cause some crowdsurfers, moshpits and stage divers to appear. I wouldn't mind and I wouldn't be surprised. This is high quality and highly enjoyable groovy metal that all fans of the aforementioned bands can certainly appreciate. Besides, and perhaps most importantly, in a genre that steadily turns towards the generic, General Cluster definitely stands out with an irresistible and well varied sound.
Serge
