ON THE SUN (USA)
"Solar Savior"
(Solar Savior Records)
Release date: June 27th 2019
Genre: Stoner rock, classic rock
Links: BandCamp Spotify
Chicago based ON THE SUN is a fairly new four piece group of stoner rockers, formed in 2018, but the basis was founded by Derek Ault (vocals) and guitarist Jay Septoski. After completing the line up with bassist Fred Nettnin and drummer Matt Torossi, the band found the stability they needed to start writing and recording their debut EP.
Inspired by Kyuss and Black Sabbath, the six tracks on "Solar Savior" are well within the fuzzy standards of classic stoner rock, and sound the way Soundgarden probably would do if they played on Sleep's gear.
"On the Sun" is as epic and heavy as stoner rock can be, and "Everyone" is more uptempo, with an opening riff that has a catchy Aerosmithic drive. "Fully Krausened" is the more melodic single choice, and "Paper is the Devil!" has a Ramones/Motorhead like simplicity that turns it into a bit of a highlight for this writer. "Mind Eraser" is dark and fuzzy, and slightly more downbeat than the rest of the tracks. "Narrow Mind" is the sixth and closing track, and features the same drive that "Everyone" had, making it a worthy conclusion to a thoroughly massive debut from ON THE SUN.
★★★★★★★★☆☆
1. On the Sun
2. Everyone
3. Fully Krausened
4. Paper is the Devil!
5. Mind Eraser
6. Narrow Mind
ON THE SUN:
Derek Ault - vocals
Fred Nettnin -bass
Jay Septoski -guitar
Matt Torossi - drums and percussion
From the lowlands of Denmark, where the highest natural point peaks merely 171 meters above ground level, comes an ensemble that has been around since 2012. REDWOLVES was formed in Copenhagen, where they became part of a community that shared their affection for classic heavy rock, as well as the multiple Scandinavian bands that appeared during the first decade in this milennium. Bands like The Hellacopters, Gluecifer and Turbonegro are mandatory mentions when we're looking back, and REDWOLVES leave us no doubt where their expression has its roots.
Their debut arrived in 2016, in the shape of the independently released four track EP "Walking Roads", which had a slightly more direct sound than what they have on the full length that is under consideration in this review. The EP has a punklike rawness that for example Turbonegro is well known for, but it also showed strong indications that they were more than "just" a hard rock n' roll band.
"Future Becomes Past" is the title of their brand new full length album, and it is a bit of a complex album. A lot of the thematics in the lyrics are based on frustration and anger after an episode where singer Rasmus Cundell was assaulted, not long after the band had begun writing material for the album. Arguably this must have affected not only the lyrical content, but in musical terms too.
The album consists of eight tracks, where the first four are relatively up-tempo and have a more positive vibe. "Plutocracy" is the opening track that starts with a riff that wouldn't sound out of place on any The Who album. The first thing you notice is the dirty and slightly distorted sound, but if there is any genre that suits this kind of production, it is this one. The album has an analogue sound that gives the material that wonderful warm sound, and it suits the band perfectly.
"Rigid Generation" is another fetching and catchy tune, and along with "The Abyss" it contributes to giving the album a highly energetic start. "Fenris" was released as a single in April, and I am starting to suspect that Pete Townsend is a huge inspiration to Pete Townsend. The song is another catchy track, and you can find the link to the music video in the album details further up in this review.
We're halfway through the album, and at this point the band decides to slow things down a bit. "The Pioneer" is a seven minute track that starts off in a more quiet manner than the first four, and the band allow themselves to experiment a little more. They create great instrumental soundscapes with only their basic instruments, thus confirming that "less is more". Quite modest all the way through when it comes to tempo, and slightly darker than the previous tracks, but "The Pioneer" gives you the first taste of a different side of the band. And it most definitely is a sweet one.
"Voyagers" is another epic piece, and if "The Pioneer" was an experience, this track takes you on a full sonic journey that won't stop until the clockworks reach 9:17. Everything fits here, from those tasty and gorgeous ambient guitars that are mixed down low in the center channel during the intro, through the slow and carefully structured build up to the climax towards the end of the track. "Voyagers" is a journey on its own, and in my ears the absolute strongest piece on the album.
After the same clean intro that started off "Voyagers" also concludes it, REDWOLVES return to more familiar form with "Farthest from Heaven". More washy cymbals and chord based riffs, but with blast beats (!), just for variation. Not the first thing you'd expect, right?
"Temple of Dreams" is more midtempo based, with heavy rhythms and a bit more stoner like feel throughout the track. The stoner element is never absent from the other tracks either, but it's never a strong enough part of the band's music to really turn them into a stoner band.
In conclusion, REDWOLVES have accomplished to make an album that is both catchy and gripping, and yet it allows the listener to drift into different variations of moods along the way. "Future Becomes Past" is a fine addition to the Scandinavian rock n' roll scene, and while daring to experiment and evolve into being more than just a traditional hard rock act, REDWOLVES is a band that should not go on unnoticed.
