0021 – Olde Growth – Tour EP 2012 Owl EP

Artist: Olde GrowthOlde Growth Cassette Tape with Butterfly
Album: Tour EP 2012
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: 2012
Format: Cassette Tape

Olde Growth is a 2-piece bass and drum group from Boston. This tape is the second and final release, and a pre-release to the Vinyl that Hydro-Phonic Records put out officially retitled “Owl EP.” I was lucky enough to pick the tape up from these 2 dudes at a show in Boston.  When I was researching for this review I realized that the later released Owl EP was the same tracks as what is contained on this cassette. I snagged the “Owl EP” off Bandcamp and compared. The tape has some audio artifacts from the dubbing and the limitations of tape. The sound of the digital files is much fuller and less distorted. Saying that, I did thoroughly enjoy the character that the tape flavors added to the mix.Tour EP Cassette Tape in Bush

This tape is in a clamshell cassette case, with a lightweight paper style cover that wraps around both sides. The cassette itself has a paint-marker embellishment on both sides and has audio duplicated to each side. With the full album on side A and B you don’t have to rewind and flip endlessly!

The sound that is Olde Growth consists of a super heavy, groove-oriented base that flows in and out of classic stoner rock. The drums are tight and carry the songs well, while the bass fits into its own pocket. Even without a guitar lead present, sounds pop in and out. Slow rumbles and combines with more intricate phrasing, melding in with a strong vocal delivery.Olde Growth Cassette Tape in Pine

The opener track, “Brother of the Moon,” comes in with a simple clean bass line, followed by the drums and then thick bass waves of distortion. Heavy, in all the right ways, finally the song builds into large chords that fully bring the ears into the woods. Finally, to bring the song to full throttle the drums step into a stomp and the bass flips over into more of a lead style delivery. The drums and vocals carry the song from here, while the bass chugs slowly just below.

The transition into track two, “Warrior Child,” is near seamless. The feel and the groove are similar to the previous track. Drums lead the charge, vocals and chugging bass lines right beside. Another great song, fun to tap along to and keep the head bobbing.Olde Growth Cassette on Beach

The third track is “Tears of Blood.” This brings a departure from the first half of the EP. The riffs are again in the galloping stoner rock feel, but the hook is more prominent. The crashing chords and vocal delivery, at the end, is by far some of the heaviest moments on the tape. One of my favorite parts about this group is the way that the bass transitions from standard rhythm to thick chords. This sound, this style, really lends to the heaviness of Olde Growth.

“Edge of the Sea” has a great hook, the vocals reach a near singalong status. Fun, dark, and full of good imagery, the music underneath helps to transport my mind. I love closing my eyes and taking in the waves. This song is pure fun, full of that classic stoner rock bounce that keeps my head nodding.

I had always meant to pick up this album, never realizing that I already had the album on my tape rack! Hilarious! I still want the vinyl, I imagine it has a much better audio treatment than this tape. I believe Olde Growth is on hiatus, and they will be missed. Click the links below to check out the music for yourself.

Olde Growth BandcampOlde Growth Cassette Beach Butterfly

Olde Growth Facebook

 

 

 

Photos by Nibiinabekwe Ocqueoc Michigan Lake Huron
Photos by Nibiinabekwe • Huron Beach • Ocqueoc, MI

0017 – Hordes – Self Titled – Digi-Pack CD

Hordes CD on an Icy Trail

Artist: HordesHordes Cover of CD on Icy Trail
Album: Self Titled
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Format: Compact Disc

For what I have known of the Hordes history this is the departure from the Hordes that was and the more structured Hordes that exists now. The newer iterations feature more in your face riffing and less of the meandering drones and avant free formness. Recorded in the winter of 2013, and released in 2015 this disk is 3 years old now. Hordes not only have left this drummer behind but have now moved through to having Todd, from The Jackpine Snag, as their current drummer.  Here are my ramblings on this 3 year old disc.Hordes Back of CD on Ice

The CD was released in 2015 on a digipack, featuring a variety of line drawings in a grey black wash. Some look to be anatomical drawings, while others are, for sure, Guitarist Alex Hudson’s work. Recorded at Troudoudor Studios in Lansing, the sound is thick and well mixed. Right in your face from the get!Hordes Digi-Pack Inside in Snow

The first track “Cold War Echo” is the perfect example of what this album is all about – riffage and pounding drums with raspy throated screams. The thick chords stomp and build, hints of noise are always creeping out the seams and the corners. At about 2.5 minutes in the track reaches, what I feel is, classic Hordes status. The riff slows to a crawl and the bass keeps the rhythm in line while the drums plod behind. This doesn’t last long before that riffage jumps right back in, bringing the close of this track.

Hordes CD Cover in Pine TreeThe second song features a slow building stomper titled “Eyes Dulled Blind.” The riff leads the song, a half crawl stomp fest, with vocals distant in the mix. At 6 minutes this is the longest track on the album, revolving around a fast and a slow riff. To close the track down Hordes slowed the temp to a half crawl. This is where the real guitar work shines. I love the textures that feel so prominent here. Once the riff slows the bass and drums lock in, and this gives room for the guitar to space out. A perfect wrap for that song.

By far my favorite riff from this album is the opener from “Summer”. Again, the spaced out guitar work brings the track to an open. The drums and bass jump to life not long after, and then the song is rolling. The guitar work throughout this track is super satisfying. This is the Hordes that I love.

I know I was just writing about how my favorite riff was in the last song, but the first true head banger on this disc is “Life Chaser.” When the riff really comes who can help but give that subtle head bang? Even as I write this I caught Nibiinabekwe banging her head in just that ever slow nod, reaffirming my thoughts. This is the heaviest moments of the album.

Hordes Cover of CD on IceThe closer track, “Fall,” again brings to the forefront the anger that is so present in this iteration of Hordes. The riffs stomp, the vocals holler, it’s heavy as shit. I dig it! The end of this track, and the close of the album, again slows the tempo to a crawl and gives the guitars room to build that classic wall of Hordes texture.

It has been interesting watching the journey that Hordes has taken, and this album is just one blip on the timeline. At the time of this writing it looks like they had just released a new 7″ split on Silver Maple Kill Records, I look forward to getting a copy of that!

Hordes on FacebookHordes in a Pine Tree

Hordes on Bandcamp

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Nibiinabekwe
Photos by Nibiinabekwe • Atlanta State Forest Area • Michigan

0006 – Cavalcade – Swale 7″

Artist: Cavalcade
Album: Swale
Label: Bermuda Mohawk Productions
Release Date: Dec 10th 2013
Format: Vinyl 7”

I believe I got this 7” at the release show, a very long time ago. I then promptly lost it in the shuffle of life, only to be re-found when I recently got a new record shelf and organization system. Hurrah for me because this one is a gem! Swale is a 7″ with a minimal brown sleeve featuring a monster stamp as the main focal point. I really like the layout of this release, done by Craig Horky, who not only is a prolific and unique artist, but also the bassist of Cavalcade. I believe as an added aside this is Sean Peters first release with the band, replacing Zak Warren on vocals.

“Swale,” the opening track, comes in slow and weird, in typical Cavalcade fashion, building up into a crashing swaying mess of noise. “Metronome On Sleep” is the highlight track for me; it has a hard groove with lots of intricacies, eerie melodies shine through the sound-wall amid the chaos.

Cavalcade is a strange carnival of a band and the music is a perfect representation of that. Stoner metal meets punk rock meets who the hell knows what or where. The noise flows in and out while a Gollum spits and sputters vocals through the mix. The recording on this release is well mixed and presented, taking the listener under the tent with Cavalcade. I have always enjoyed catching these guys live, whether in a basement or a stinky dive bar, Brad always brings the headbanging while the other guys bring the weird. 

 

Cavalcade on Facebook

Cavalcade Bandcamp

Bermuda Mohawk Productions

 

Photos by Nibiinabekwe, Gaffney Creek, Salina Rd, Alpena County Michigan.

0003 – Cloakroom – Further Out

Artist: Cloakroom
Album: Further Out
Label: Run For Cover Records
Release Date: January 20, 2015
Format: Double Clear Vinyl LP

I purchased this LP at a show in Grand Rapids  when Cloakroom opened for Hum! That was an amazing show, Nibiinabekwe was beyond excited to see Hum, and I was just as excited for Cloakroom. Luckily for me I had the monies to buy the LP from them at the show.

Released by Run for Cover Records, the version I got came as a double clear Continue reading “0003 – Cloakroom – Further Out”