Release
date: August 25th 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD
Awakening
– Tracklisting
Shadow Of The Snake
Awakening
Illusions Of Reality
Firedrake
Casimir
The Gathering Dust
Band
Members
Jan Kimmel (El
Janni) - Guitar, Nord, Vocals;
Maurice
Eggenschwiler - Guitar, Vocals;
Cory Cousins -
Drums;
Gabriel Katz - Bass
Review
Blues Funeral new album - Awakening
- is better structured and more focused than their debut album. Their
debut album was all over the place but in a good way, as the band
included as many different genres they could possibly lay their hands
on. Awakening doesn't follow that approach as Blues Funeral opt for a
more straight-forward seventies sounding Blues Rock/Psych/Heavy Metal
sound.
There are still moments of
stoner/doom metal riffs appearing throughout the album. Though this
time Blues Funeral seemed to have settled on a more Deep Purple based
sound. The lyrics are still way over the top but that's what you
expect from an album such as this.
Opening track - Shadow Of The Snake
- has a slight operatic and progressive rock feel with the band
playing some cool heavy riffs from the start. The organs add a creepy
and doom based psychedelic feel. The dual vocals Jan and Maurice add
quite a classic heavy metal feel. Blues Funeral feel they grew up and
influenced by a steady diet of classic seventies Hard Rock/Metal and
the album is a testament to that love and knowledge of that era of
classic music.
The rest of the album follows the
same approach of Blues/Prog Rock driven melodic riffs being the
centre stage of the whole album. You can expect epic guitar solos,
OTT vocals and gloomy organs all combining for a brilliantly
entertaining ride from start to finish. Songs such as Awakening,
Illusions Of Reality, Casimir and The Gathering Dust all play to
Blues Funeral strengths with prog rock solos that have passion, drive
and determination not seen on their debut album.
The standout track has on the album
has to be Firedrake as the superb vocals grab your attention from the
start. The band slow the mood right down and that means you can
immerse yourself with the doomy theatrical vibes being played around
you.
I will admit I would like to hear
more modern based sounds that their debut album included. Now, at
least Blues Funeral know what kind of band they want to be and they
excel in delivering good old fashioned Hard Rock/Metal with
flourishes of classic Doom Metal holding everything together. The
production is handled superbly well with the album striking the right
balance between the quieter and louder parts of the album.
Awakening is a superb album and
Blues Funeral should have no trouble in finding a dedicated audience
within the Hard Rock/Classic Rock/Heavy Metal community.
Words by Steve
Howe
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