Ufosonic Generator — The Evil Smoke Possession
The album opens with the track A Sinful Portrait. I’m instantly transported back to the hazy days of the 1970s, a world of incense, recreational drugs, Black Sabbath, Atomic Rooster, and occult paperbacks. The first band that springs to mind are Witchcraft, another band whose sound grew out of the same era. The track is good, and whilst it’s not breaking new ground it is enjoyable enough.
Next track Anapest stays firmly in the 1970s, whilst moving away from sounding like Witchcraft. The riff is reminiscent of Kyuss, which is again no bad thing, it’s just not overly original. The track does however have a tempo change towards the end of the track, becoming something quite different. At Witches’ Bell is more of the same, a slower tempo this time, however the song and playing are great, and it’s another really enjoyable track.
Master of Godspeed is up next. A good uptempo slice of dirty rock n roll, in much the same vein as the rest of the album. The band obviously know a good riff when they hear one, the album is packed with them, and guitarist DD Morris has obviously mastered his instrument to a very high level. This is one of my favourite tracks on the album.
Meridian Daemon is up next, the longest track on the album at almost 8 minutes and another of my personal favourites. Borrowing from bands like Black Sabbath and Pentagram the track is pure unadulterated doom metal. There is, however, a rather interesting twist around three minutes in where the track develops a real groove to it. This is short lived, however as the track builds to its conclusion that groove begins to creep back in. This is when the band are really on it, and I have to say it works a treat.
Silver Bell Meadows is up next, monolithically heavy to begin with the song drifts between heavy monolithic doom metal sections and the band’s groovier 70s rock side. About half way through it takes a turn back towards the doom side and stays there for the remainder of the track. Mowing Devil again follows suit with some enjoyable 70s inspired doom metal. Final track The Evil Smoke Possession is epic doom metal, Pentagram and Witchcraft instantly spring to mind. Again, this is another great slice of stoner/doom and one can’t help but really enjoy the album.
Overall, the album is of a high standard, musicianship is good as are the vocals. Production and sound is perfect for what it is and the attention to detail in what they do is impeccable. My only criticism is that they really do sound like the bands that have influenced them, Graveyard, Witchcraft, Pentagram and Black Sabbath are all over this, and whilst that is not a bad thing I would love to see this band grow and develop their own take on this style of music. As this is only their debut release it has to be said it’s very accomplished for a first release, and I look forward to hearing more from the band as they continue to grow and develop their own style.