Saturday 25 June 2016

KALEIDOBOLT - The Zenith Cracks (Album Review)


Release date: July 01st 2016. Label: Pink Tank Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Zenith Cracks – Tracklisting

1.Off The Cuff
2.Murderous Ways
3.The Crux
4.Inbred
5.Helle
6.Steal My Thunder
7.City Of The Sun
8.Spoil

Band Members:

Sampo Kurki - guitar, vocals
Marco Menestrina - bass, vocals
Valtteri Lindholm - drums

Review:

The Retro Doom/Stoner/Hard Rock Scene has taken off quite considerably over the last few years thanks to bands such as Graveyard and Kadavar. Both of whom have released stunning records over the years. Kadavar especially with Berlin in 2015. What does this has to do with Kaleidobolt's new album – The Zenith Cracks. Well Kaleidobolt are one of the new breed of Hard Rock/Retro/Stoner Rock bands starting to gain notice with their blend of Heavy Psychedelic and Progressive Stoner Rock.

The Zenith Cracks is a much different sound to their acclaimed S/T debut album. The Zenith Cracks sees the band opt for a more psychedelic and far out sound as the two opening tracks – Off The Cuff and Murderous Ways – open the floodgates to a world of heavy and psychedelic prog/stoner riffs. The vocals are firmly rooted in the classic era of 60s/70s Hard Rock/Psych Rock.

Kaleidobolt experiment with their sound by opting for a more jam-based style with their music. The album has a lot more freakout moments as the band veer off into different directions especially on 3rd track – The Crux. Don't worry though as Kaleidobolt still retain their signature classic vintage sound.

I will say the 2nd half of the album is a lot more exciting than the first half. That's not to say the 1st half is bad, far from it, the band have written some hugely memorable riffs. It's when the album reaches song no 5 – Helle - is where the album truly starts coming alive with vibrant noise and sonic experimentation. Helle is a cool sounding instrumental track before the real fireworks start with Steal My Thunder. As the band play a faster style of progressive hard rock that allows the band to create some stunning guitar solos with intense drumming holding it all together.

The final two tracks - City Of The Sun and Spoil – sees Kaleidobolt turn into a more Doom/Occult Rock style band as the riffs become slightly doomier and gloomier in places. It helps that both tracks run past the 9 minute and 10 minute mark respectively. It's a sombre and distorted affair that shows you how inventive these guys can really be.

Final track Spoil is the stand-out track on the album as it's quite a creepy affair with distorted guitars merging for one nightmarish freak based sound. The band make clever use of ambient noises and distorted riffs with a huge sideline in murky psychedelic rock.

The Zenith Cracks is a well produced album as everything sounds superb throughout. The Zenith Crack is a thrilling record to listen to. I applaud Kaleidobolt for doing something vastly different to their debut album. Check it out. You won't be sorry.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jan at Pink Tank Records for the promo. The Zenith Cracks will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Pink Tank Records from July 1st 2016.

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