Ukrainian stoner prog trio, Stoned Jesus know more than most about overcoming adversity. With the obvious terrible circumstances in their homeland, the band nonetheless have managed to craft their fifth long player since their birth in 2009. The band have gained a hard fought reputation and this release finds them expanding on their musical journey in trying times.
The birdsong and gentle acoustic guitar on opening track “Father Light” is warm and refreshing given the environment within which it was written. Igor Sydorenko’s vocals are soothing with a smoky folk quality. Their pedigree and influences become more apparent on “Season Of The Witch” with its’ giant, muddy riff that is straight out of the Electric Wizard song book. This 11-minute epic is huge. The vocals have the pleading quality of Saint Vitus’s Scott Reagers while the tempo changes are pure Black Sabbath with the mid track ease off before the return to the chunky central riff. Gentle, folk tinged tracks like “Thoughts And Prayers” have a sense of melancholy and introspection that sit well alongside more progressive cuts such as “Porcelain”. Slow, creeping bass and soft drums introduce the track with a hushed dramatic tone. When the heavy riff comes in briefly it’s gritty and raw. Often these songs are more heavy by nature rather than by aural bludgeoning and there’s an undeniable honesty to the vocal delivery.
The closing two tracks bring out the stoner prog genre tag to the fore. The floating, fuzzy groove of “CON” has a very exploratory sound that is constantly pushed along by Dmtro Zinchenko’s drumming. However, it’s the nine-minute closing slab of fat, dense, distorted guitar which makes up “Get What You Deserve” that really highlights what this trio are capable of. With an expansive groove and an ear worm of a riff, this is very much in the same musical galaxy as Sleep. A stinging guitar break swathed in space rock effects highlights the heaviness around it. Closing in a squall of feedback and distortion, the curtain comes down on the album in appropriate style.
Thoughtful, well balanced and an album that feels it may wear its’ heart on its’ sleeve, “Father Light” is a work well worth exploring. Stoned Jesus’ well-earned reputation is only enhanced by this release. In no way overblown or self-indulgent it’s a work of warmth and pure self-expression.
(7.5/10 Johnny Zed)
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