SINGLE REVIEW: Egonaut - Omens

EGONAUT (Sweden)
"Omens"
(Bastard Sounds Records)
Release date: May 24th 2019
Genre: Melodic hard rock, stoner rock
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EGONAUT are a powerful ensemble in quintet form from Borås, Sweden. Initially a punk oriented band, but over the years they have evolved from punk to stoner and hard rock, into what they themselves call a "supersonic doom n' roll institution". They released their first album "Electric" in 2011, "Mount Egonaut" in 2013, and after their third album "Deluminati" came out in 2015, they realized there was a line up change needed. Emil Kyrk entered the band in 2016, and his first album with EGONAUT was 2017's "The Omega", a conceptual album where they tell the story about a seeker, who is trying to find his place in the modern world. Curious as I am I had a brief listen on one of the major streaming platforms, and it was quite a pleasurable discovery.

The band have built up quite a reputation as a live act as well, and have been on tour and doing gigs all over Europe. Sadly, as far as my research goes, they have not visited their closest neighbor in the west yet, but hopefully this can become a reality eventually.

However, EGONAUT have been writing material since "The Omega" too, and their most recent addition to their discography is "Omens", released on Bastard Sounds Records.

After the first couple of listens, this is not quite as hard hitting as what I heard on "The Omega", but it is still a deliciously powerful and massive display of Swedish hard rock. The stoner influence is absolutely present, but I feel the structure is more direct and rooted in the hard rock genre. The opening riff is capturing with a catchy drive, and when the organ comes in and adds that sexy, tasty, dirty 70's vibe to it all, it is apparent that these Swedes had my doctor's order delivered exactly as I needed it.

Kyrk has a powerful voice that fits perfect to EGONAUT's music. In some places he reminds me of Jorn Lande, especially when he reaches the high vibrato. At the same time he has the fierceness of Tom Gabriel Warrior, and when it's placed in a warm and lush mix with all the other components in EGONAUT, be sure you get a fine Swedish blend.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

EGONAUT is:
Emil Kyrk - vocals
Fredrik Jordanius - guitars
Dennis Zielinski - keyboards
Mikael Bielinski - bass
Markus Johansson - drums