Release
date: November 26th 2015. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD
AION
– Tracklisting
Alexithymia
Chakpori
Nemesi
Alaska
Path
of Decay
Riwka
Hades
Abraxas
Band
Members:
Paolo
Bertaiola (vocals)
Marco
Bressanelli (guitar)
Matteo
Baldi (guitar)
Fabio
Orlandi (drums)
Pierluca
Esposito (bass)
Review:
WOWS
is an Atmospheric Doom/Post-Metal band from Italy and newly signed to
Argonauta Records who seem to be on a roll this year releasing
top-notch Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal albums and WOWS is no different.
Their debut album – AION – is what you would expect from a band
such as WOWS. Taking influence from Pelican, Tool and Neurosis to
create a highly atmospheric and complex album.
AION
opens with Alexithymia. An ambient/post-rock driven song that is
there mainly to get you into the mood before the heavy progressive
sounds appear. Though WOWS do offer some cool space-rock sonic
interludes.
Second
track – Chakpori – has shades of A Perfect Circle/Tool appearing
especially with the vocals. WOWS combine Space Rock, Doom and
Post-Metal amongst the familiar sounds of Tool-esque Progressive
Metal epic riffs. It’s a winning combination as the band even
manage to include some stellar Stoner Metal sounds here and there
especially towards the end of the song. The lyrical content could
have done with more work but it’s the music that holds your
attention here. Impressive stuff.
Third
track – Nemesi – opens with distorted drone based noise before
the doom and gloom guitars appear. The vocals slowly make their
appearance known and it’s more of the same vocal delivery as
before. Truth be told, the vocals don’t change that much but Paolo
sure can shout and growl with the best in the business. WOWS venture
into more progressive spaced out sludgy waters with the song becoming
quite emotional at times. Fans of Amen-Ra and Neurosis will find much
to enjoy here. It’s another complex offering with WOWS walking a
fine line between the heavier riffs and subtle ambient noises.
Fourth
track – Alaska – finally sees WOWS creating some great sounds and
riffs of their own. Paolo’s vocals maybe laid back but they still
have a menacing edge to them. The music is played at a slow pace but
WOWS still offer moments of pure heavy psych/post-metal riffs to
awaken your senses to. The doomy atmosphere gives way to an
ambient/post-rock where the guitars have a life of their own.
Fifth
track – Path Of Decay – is an ambient/post-rock number with the
band slowing the mood right down for the next 2.30 minutes or so.
It’s beautifully played but it could have easily been left off the
album.
The
final 3 tracks, Riwka, Hades and Abraxas sees WOWS offer 32 minutes
of intense progressive post-metal riffs which allows the band to
experiment with their sound. It’s a very challenging experience to
listen to at times as the band play at a deliberate slow pace
especially on Riwka. As it takes a few minutes for the fast-paced
riffs to appear. I shouldn’t really complain about the pace of the
album but there are times you want things to speed up. Though upon
repeat listens you begin to appreciate the quieter moments more as
WOWS create complex rhythms through out the album.
Hades
is perhaps the heaviest song on the album as WOWS just let their
anger out for everyone to feel and fully experience. The spaced out
sludge riffs make their appearance known once more as the music and
vocals become louder. The distorted guitar work is superb as you can
expect to hear a ton of great guitar solos through out the song.
The
final song – Abraxas – offers nothing new within the Atmospheric
Doom/Post-Metal world but it’s the journey that WOWS take you on.
As they offer one final spaced out trip of Neurosis style Post-Metal
with a twinge of TOOL ideology as this song becomes perhaps the
standout track on the album. Paolo drifts from clean based vocals to
the heavier based growls but he’s the one fully in control of this
song as the music is built around his impressive vocal performance.
You can hear and feel intense Industrial Rock/Metal sounds in the
middle of the song as the bass guitar provides a thumping back line
for a bone-crunching effect.
AION
is an excellent and highly complex debut album from WOWS. If you’re
still waiting impatiently for the new album from TOOL check these
guys out as you will find much to enjoy and admire. Excellent and
Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Barbara at NeeCee Agency and Gero at Argonauta Records. AION will
be available to buy on CD/DD from November 26th 2015 via ArgonautaRecords.
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