Stoner/Psych
Magnetic Eye Records
Release Date – June 21st 2024
Line-up
Arvid Hällagård – vocals
Tommi Holappa – guitars
Sebastian Olsson – drums
Hans Fröhlich – bass
Track List:
1 – Breathe, Breathe Out
2 – Avalanche
3 – Different Horses
4 – A Wolf In My Mind
5 – That Obsidian Grin
6 – The Sirens Sound
7 – Oh Dandelion
8 – The Tricking Tree
9 – An Alabastrine Smile
Greenleaf was originally a side project formed by Tommi Holappa, guitarist of Dozer. Tommi initially brought in friends from Truckfighters, Lowrider, and Demon Cleaner, but their lineup fluctuated over the years. It seems he has finally achieved stability with this group. Tommi provides the massive ’70s-inspired riffage, supported by drummer Sebastian Olsson and bassist Hans Frohlich, who lay down a serious groove. Arvid Hallagard, formerly of Giant Space Cruiser, brings soulful vocals, enriched by his classical training.
Olsson maintains a steady rhythm while Holappa grinds out a riff on the opener ‘Breathe, Breathe Out‘. Frohlich joins in, and together they unleash a wall of sound with their gain pedals, allowing Hallagard to croon over the top. The track is catchy, with a dark melody and Hallagard’s smooth, masculine delivery. ‘Avalanche‘ leans towards traditional classic rock, featuring Olsson’s tribal-esque drumming and reverb-heavy vocals. ‘Different Horse‘ injects some boogie into the mix. On ‘A Wolf In My Head‘, Olsson showcases his versatility across his drum kit, while Holappa demonstrates his knack for riff-craft, delving into full-on psychedelia with Hallagard demonstrating his vocal range.
‘That Obsidian Grin‘ introduces a hint of Fleetwood Mac blues in a brief but impactful track, where Hallagard shines. ‘The Sirens Sound‘ channels dark Doors-like rock ‘n’ roll, followed by the funky ‘Oh Dandelion‘, which exudes raw energy. The album culminates in the over-eight-minute epic ‘The Tricking Tree‘, blending bluesy psychedelia with ‘An Alabastrine Smile‘ leaving listeners with a warm, fuzzy, and thoroughly satisfied feeling.
This album is impressive, brimming with ’70s-inspired grooves and riffs that evoke nostalgia for the era. You can practically feel the cheesecloth and smell the ‘Hai Karate‘ seeping through the speakers. It’s time to crack open a Watney’s party seven and crank up the volume. This is the sound of freedom — freedom of thought, freedom of art, and the freedom to be oneself without compromise.
Written by: Smudge
Ratings: 9/10
About Author
