Release
date: June 17th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD
Pale
Blue Dot – Tracklisting
1.Upon
the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres 02:20
2.Pillars
07:28
3.Lunar
Rising 06:41
4.Pale
Blue Dot 02:23
5.Pangea
03:17
6.Monsters
of the Mesozoic 06:51
7.Starflesh
08:46 video
8.Earthican
Lullaby 01:47
9.From
the Sky 09:43
10.We
Will Travel On 08:19
11.Beyond
the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres 02:35
Band
Members:
DJ
Bryant - Guitar / Vocals
Jeremy
Wingard - Guitar
Logan
Wood - Drums
Adam
Smith - Bass
Review:
Progressive
Sludge/Stoner Rockers – Oberon – debut album – Pale Blue Dot is
a journey of progressive spaced out riffs. Oberon take early-era The
Sword doomy vibes and match it against Mastodon/Baroness style Sludge
rock/metal riffs. It all comes together for one exciting and wild
loud ride that lasts for sixty-one minutes or so. Oberon feel they
also influenced by bands from the 70s Progressive Rock scene
especially with DJ's vocals. They have a certain vintage and
progressive feel to them.
The
album is quite euphoric and highly anthemic at times with Oberon
showing a creative flair blending the progressive rock/metal riffs
against a heavy space rock/psych backdrop. The opening songs – Upon
The Revolutions On Heavenly Spheres, Pillars and Lunar Rising sees
Oberon laying down the groundwork for the rest of the album to
follow. The instrumental work flows with style, conviction and a
sense of originality. The vocals take a few moments getting used to
but lead vocalist –DJ – soon wins you over with an assured and
highly confident vocal performance.
The
lyrical content is one more based in Science Fiction or should I say
Science Fact but it works as Oberon make you care what’s being
played around you. If you’re a fan of seminal Mastodon album –
Crack The Skye then you will find much to admire here. Pale Blue Dot
is not as crazy as that album but it contains the same sort of out of
this world structure. It allows the listener to suspend their
disbelief in reality and enjoy the superb music being played for the
next sixty minutes or so.
I
would say the album is fairly split between instrumental rock/metal
and songs with vocals. One of my fave songs has to be the title track
– Pale Blue Dot. An instrumental piece that only lasts about three
minutes but one that sees Oberon in a more reflective mood. It has a
soothing psychedelic post-rock/post-metal delivery where the band
excels in showing off their musical skills.
Pale
Blue Dot maybe a hard album to listen to for the casual listener as
Oberon includes a huge amount of ideas that demands your full
attention. This is an album you will need to listen a few times to
fully understand it. If you’re here mainly for the riffs then you
won’t leave disappointed as Oberon excel in this department.
Even
when they slow the mood right down there’s always something
exciting waiting round the corner. Some
people may state Oberon could have easily left a couple of songs from
the album. Though what songs would you leave out as you would change
the whole dynamic of the album. Pale Blue Dot is an intelligent and
action-packed Sludge/Stoner Metal ride from start to finish that has
a few hidden surprises along the way. Excellent and Highly
Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
