Stoner/Doom
Hammerheart Records
Line Up:
Sami Wolf – Vocals
Aaron Brancheau – Guitar
Joseph Fiel – Bass
Ashton Nelson – Drums
Tracklist:
Meteor
Mothership
Epoch
Magnolia
Desert Procession
Crestfallen
Sunday
Luminare
Phantom
Moon Wizard from Salt Lake City, Utah have been around since 2018 and have released two previous full-length albums. They were formed by school chums, Aaron Brancheau, Joe Fiel and Ashton Nelson then in 2020 they found singer Sami Wolf. Having never heard their previous output I cannot comment but if they’re half as good as this then I will be sourcing them both come pay day.
‘Meteor’ kicks things off with Brancheau’s riff before the rhythm section come crashing in and Wolf brings her signature wail. It’s classic stoner, a big riff and huge groove with the bass and drums locked in despite Nelson bring his Keith Moon type rolls. ‘Mothership’ eases back on trippy guitar line which Fiel mirrors on his bass and we’re off into the stratosphere with Wolf at the controls. You just close your eyes, and you go with them willingly before ‘Magnolia’ takes you around the cosmos again. It’s a simpler groove with some turbulence on the way but it’s all good as they go higher over the clouds and the disturbance. ‘Luminaire’ sets you down on a big blue cloud of sweet-smelling smoke allowing you to watch the shooting stars whilst Wolf’s reverb drenched vocals commentate on the fireworks. Brancheau offers another fine riff and Fiel and Nelson soon join in for the descent on ‘Epoch’. It’s a smooth take off and it levels out taking you on another trip around the astral plane. Before you know it, you’re back on ‘terra firma’ as ‘Desert Procession’ brings a different almost punky feel then it’s some Sabbath worship on ‘Crestfallen’. ‘Phantom’ is introduced by Fiel’s rubbery bassline before Brancheau gives him a hand and Nelson knocks the living daylights out of his kit. It’s another simple stomp allowing Wolf to bellow and tell you about yourself. Final cut ‘Sunday’ is another classic stoner groove all fed on a fantastic ‘wah-wah’ intro then Wolf brings a different almost soulful edge to her voice.
I’ll admit that this took me a couple of listens to fully appreciate what was going on but now I play it regularly. This is classy, classic stoner. It’s big and rough around the edges but has some subtlety in there too. I will make good on my promise and obtain the first two records and look forward to what they do next.
Written by: Smudge
Ratings: 8/10
https://open.spotify.com/album/45ECFoJ6BcAzXTuArhr5xZ?si=GTrTDvZlSya5kdol498O3Q
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