stoner rock
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As the late Randy Savage would have said 'oooh yeah'. It's time to start rocking again at the Merchants Of Air headquarters and what better genre to pick than fuzz-loaded rock 'n' roll. We're in Italy this time, a country that is climbing in my 'potential emigration countries' list. Yes, that means that if I ever leave the narrowminded cold soil of Belgium, there's a change that Merchants Of Air becomes an Italian website. My god, why are those guys so good?
Isaak has been around since 2011, formed after the demise of Gandhi's Gunn. Signed by Heavy Psych Sounds, Isaak is now ready to take over the stoner rock world with their thick riffs, hammering drums and powerful vocals. 'Sermonize' seems to be an excellent business card to present to the Roadburns, Desertfests and other stoner related festivals, so I wouldn't be surprised if I get to see these guys a few times in the near future, and I certainly hope so.
The albums opens with a guitar-and-vocals tune which lifts a little bit of the veil. But then the quartet blasts away with the massive songs 'The Peak' and 'Fountainhead'. At this point every stoner rock fan would be convinced of Isaak's abilities. These songs are awesome heavy rockers, reminding me a bit of bands like Orange Goblin, Red Fang or Clutch, who have in fact been influences for many stoner rock bands out there. On stage, these songs could easily start a party.
The Italians continue to walk, or better 'rage', on that path, seldom taking a step back. 'Soar' might be a little slower at first but this one too knocks me off my feet. The vocals are fantastic, clean, powerful and quite heroic, a bit like war chants perhaps. The combination of those vocals and the highly immersive music, is irresistible, especially for someone like me, someone who loves the aspects of 'drive' or 'groove' in music. That being said, yes, here too I sense a bit of Entombed-grooves and I fucking love those.
My favorite track on this album is 'The Phil S. Theorem'. This is one damn awesome rocker, easily reaching the quality of some Foo Fighters tracks (a band which I regard as a reference for awesome heavy rock). I also really dig the title track 'Sermonize', a gloomy piece of musick, dark, fuzzy and warm. But then again, I love this whole album. This is rock 'n' roll with some huge, hairy balls...
Serge
Isaak has been around since 2011, formed after the demise of Gandhi's Gunn. Signed by Heavy Psych Sounds, Isaak is now ready to take over the stoner rock world with their thick riffs, hammering drums and powerful vocals. 'Sermonize' seems to be an excellent business card to present to the Roadburns, Desertfests and other stoner related festivals, so I wouldn't be surprised if I get to see these guys a few times in the near future, and I certainly hope so.
The albums opens with a guitar-and-vocals tune which lifts a little bit of the veil. But then the quartet blasts away with the massive songs 'The Peak' and 'Fountainhead'. At this point every stoner rock fan would be convinced of Isaak's abilities. These songs are awesome heavy rockers, reminding me a bit of bands like Orange Goblin, Red Fang or Clutch, who have in fact been influences for many stoner rock bands out there. On stage, these songs could easily start a party.
The Italians continue to walk, or better 'rage', on that path, seldom taking a step back. 'Soar' might be a little slower at first but this one too knocks me off my feet. The vocals are fantastic, clean, powerful and quite heroic, a bit like war chants perhaps. The combination of those vocals and the highly immersive music, is irresistible, especially for someone like me, someone who loves the aspects of 'drive' or 'groove' in music. That being said, yes, here too I sense a bit of Entombed-grooves and I fucking love those.
My favorite track on this album is 'The Phil S. Theorem'. This is one damn awesome rocker, easily reaching the quality of some Foo Fighters tracks (a band which I regard as a reference for awesome heavy rock). I also really dig the title track 'Sermonize', a gloomy piece of musick, dark, fuzzy and warm. But then again, I love this whole album. This is rock 'n' roll with some huge, hairy balls...
Serge