Saturday 30 December 2017

Kayleth - Colossus (Album Review)


Release date: January 12th 2018. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD

Colossus – Tracklisting

Lost in the swamp
Forgive
Ignorant Song
Colossus
So Distant
Mankind’s Glory
The Spectator
Solitude
Pitchy Mantra
The Angry Man
The Escape
Oracle

Members

Massimo Dalla Valle: Guitar
Alessandro Zanetti: Bass
Daniele Pedrollo: Drums
Enrico Gastaldo: Vocals
Michele Montanari: Synth

Review

Italian Psych Stoner Rockers - Kayleth - return with their new album - Colossus. Almost three years have passed since their last album - Space Muffin. This had a very cool sounding re-release courtesy of Argonauta Records. Colossus sees Kayleth play the same style of Psychedelic Space/Stoner Rock sound that was heard on Space Muffin. Kayleth have added a heavier progressive sound from their last album.

Opening track - Lost In The Swamp - has a Kyuss/Dozer style Desert Rock drive but buried under some fantastic sounding Psychedelic Spaced Out riffs. The music is very modern though the Kyuss style rhythms bring a slightly nuanced vintage feel. The vocals from Enrico are clear and match the heavy progressive riffs superbly well. Kayleth have a more dynamic presence on this album compared to their previous releases.

Second song - Forgive - has an eerie early Truckfighters sound but Kayleth soon drift away from that style of music for a more direct progressive grunge/stoner rock sound with the psychedelic noises giving a more experimental feel. The music is played fast and loose at times but that allows Kayleth to focus on creating a heavier FUZZ rock sound. The music is quite addictive though maybe a tad too long at times. You better get used to that feeling as this album runs for about an hour and there are twelve songs held on the album. That's a minor complaint for such a hugely entertaining and brilliantly constructed album. It's too Kayleth's credit that they keep the whole mood of the album lively, fresh and energetic.

Third song - Ignorant Song - has a more serious vibe compared to the other songs on the album with the lyrics having a more personal feel. Though the psychedelic fuzz/stoner sounds still retain their sense of urgency and heaviness.

The next track is perhaps the best song on the album, which happens to be the title track - Colossus. A heavy hitting song that has the classic Space Rock energy of early Monster Magnet driving the heavy rhythms home and leave you wanting more. Later stages of the album has Kayleth starting to play heavier riffs but with a more dynamic flair on songs such as The Spectator, Solitude, Pitchy Mantra, The Angry Man and Oracle.

Kayleth know how to write a good riff. Sure the lyrics maybe OTT but what do you expect with a Spaced Out Stoner Rock album such as this. I also enjoyed Kayleth's use of synths and electronic noises on this record. It adds another spaced out dimension to their heavy sound. This is a much better sounding album compared to Space Muffin and that's perhaps down to the fantastic sounding production held within the album.

Colossus has a deeply rich use of Science Fiction running through its veins and it's hard not to be impressed by the subtle use of Science Fiction themes spliced throughout their music. Colossus is an album you should genuinely be excited about. It's an album that has a lot to say and that's not surprising with the many different musical elements Kayleth have included here on Colossus.

If you want an epic sounding album that has the Stoner Rock brilliance of Kyuss/Dozer and the hard edged Fuzz Rock greatness of Truckfighters, then look no further.

Colossus is ready to take you on an epic ride into the cosmos.....

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Barbara at NeeCee Agency for the promo. Colossus will be available to buy on CD/DD via Argonauta Records from Jan 12th 2018.

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