Tundra rock? Fuzzy, desert stoner metal from Bergen, Norway? Yep, you read that right. Slomosa have dropped their debut long player after having built themselves a nice little reputation in their homeland. The band released the singles “Horses” and “There Is Nothing New Under The Sun” late in 2019 and both attracted local music press attention with a healthy count of streams. Interest in the band has started to creep across Europe and also into the US with a sound that has enough commercial appeal to reach a wider audience.
“Horses” is the album’s lead off track and displays a heady mix of Kyuss and Queens Of The Stone Age sounds. This is a rifftastic slice of groove and sets the bar at a high level for the rest of the album. Occasionally darkening the sonic tone and delving into Black Sabbath territory, it’s a wonderfully crafted track that has an energy bouncing off it. The delicious greasiness of “Kevin” is a delight. Benjamin Berdous’ vocals have a slight Joey Ramone styled nonchalance that weaves through the fuzzy riffs he creates with fellow guitarist Anders Rørlien. Pop rock sensibilities come through on “There Is Nothing New Under The Sun” with elements of The Eagles Of Death Metal coming through while “In My Minds Desert” has a latter era Red Hot Chilli Peppers smoothness to it.
The band don’t threaten to break out of their mould and stick firmly to a formula. That being said, it’s a formula that works and the tracks have a lovely live feel to them. Kristian Tvelt on bass and Severin Sandvik on drums provide a smooth, solid rhythm and there’s enough to make the metalheads smile whilst providing an accessibility that’s sure to bring in fans of other genres. There’s a certain introspection on the latter tracks like “Estonia” with its’ driving riff and a more ominous Sabbathian tone on album closer “On And Beyond”.
Slomona’s debut is an economical, radio friendly piece of well crafted desert rock. Coming in at a little under 40 minutes, there’s a directness and the sound of a band who have been at it longer. Their influences are plain to hear but there’s enough of their own DNA in there to suggest that this is a band to keep an ear our for. Fans of the genre will be well served to give this album a spin.
(8/10 Johnny Zed)
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