Hookworms, Pearl Mystic

Hookworms, Pearl Mystic (Gringo)

The first track of this psychedelic record comes in reminding me a little bit of Monster Magnet. That is a good thing as they are a great band and have done some fantastic albums. But they took a few years to get to this point. "Away Towards" feels like the whole of the 70s in one track. Building on some groovy guitar and drums sound it adds in keyboards and the space like vocals.

"Form and Function" kicks in with a rock like riff before the guitars go off in a buzzing fuzzing melody. Crafting some nice sounds it takes up where track one left off. The vocals are nice and soft but fueled with instruction.

The five piece take inspiration from bands like Hawkwind and this is felt in track four. You could easily leave this track on repeat and sell it as an album. So well done that I have by mistake let it run on my MP3 player and I was not complaining.

"Since We Have Changed" comes in with no surprises but one it passes by too quickly. The track has so much going on that you really have to listen so closely. Plenty of bass and cymbal crashes to keep you wondering. What few lyrics are hidden away and helps to cover the song in mystery.

The latter half of the album is a little bit more upbeat or more so a change in speed. With "Preservation" the fuzz is replaced with distortion but always acceptable at any time. For some reason it just works so well and the album flows fantastically.  "What We Talk About" has great harmonies and an organ sound that reminds you of gospel choir. The guitar solo here sounds like a bit of slide guitar as the notes never really end adding to the feeling of the song as you hear the notes just swish over the vocals.

The album ends with an instrumental "iii" as I first listened to it on the bus looking out the window it fits perfectly with the album. As the world passes by always the only thing stationary unlike this band who really do look forward. Every note has been thought about and is there for a reason. For a debut this is stunning and I think this will be on many albums of the year.

9/10

Available via Gringo Records

Twitter: @29xthefun

Kvelertak, Meir

Kvelertak, Meir (ROADRUNNER UK)

First thing that gets me is the band has three guitarists. No real reason why but hey why not? There is a great crossover style here. A solid mixture of hardcore metal helped by a producer who has played with Converge in guitarist Kurt Ballou and a more melodic hard rock style.

This reminds me a little of Andrew WK with the three guitars and at times a wall of noise much like what WK had. It is melodic but not in a sing along style. The band work hard for a good tune. "Apenbaring" is a good start to the album, slowly bringing the listener into the LP with a repetitive guitar riff and finally the vocals that at this point are not that harsh. Frantic drumming at points shows the bands influences but helps to take the album on slowly.

The album does sound great and more importantly fresh. Gathering influences like a football fan learns new and offensive songs over a season. "Spring Fra Livet" feels like the start of the 90s hardcore album. Add in some fantastic classic Black Metal drumming it takes some listeners a little time to get used to it. But it has so many melodic parts it is a shame you would leave it. "Bruane Brenn" is the first song to really get head nodding. A punky feel to the band on this track and some nice melodic backing vocals gives the song some nice tunes.

"Evig Vandrar" brings in some acoustic elements and at about half way through you are seeing this album really do bring a bit more. I keep thinking it sounds like someone then changes before I can get there name. Not so much borrowing but stealing ideas and then throwing them back with the attitude that you had no idea how to use this song in the first place.

"Nekrokosmos" clocks in over six minutes and again taking influences from the metal bands of Norway they have to nail it and they do. More hooks and riffs hit you and I would love to see this band play big festivals but they may be just a little too much. But most people are lazy and may never really take a gamble and buy something they may not like. But there is something here for most fans of punk, rock and metal.

The band is a full on live act and "Tordenbrak" shows how good they play together. Still serving up melodic slices of tight guitar and vocals. The track helps bring the album to a very nice end.

So the difficult second album but I feel it is a real success. The band are daring the music public to move on and I feel this is what many people have to do. Meir means More in Norweigen and I think they have given us more. I hope album three is called You Had Enough Yet?

7/10

twitter: @29xthefun

Meir is available on Amazon