Mammothwing - Morning Light (2015) (Full Album)

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• published: 11 Aug 2016
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Nottingham’s Mammothwing promise to take their listeners on “a cosmic mind voyage from doom valley to blues mountain”, a sentiment that perfectly describes their debut album. While never swaying away from blues, Mammothwing sweeten it up with 70’s heavy psych and moments of fuzzy doom in these five tracks. Averaging six-and-a-half to seven minutes per song, Bill Fisher (bass/vocals), Marty Fisher (guitar/vocals), and Kev Richardson (drums) find themselves in dynamic jam sessions full of intriguing nuances that create a brilliant sensation for the listener, while never outstaying their welcome. Fusing doom, blues and psychedelic influences, they create a huge bass laden wall of sound that sounds like they laced Sabbath’s pot with Syd Barratt’s stash of acid and gave it to Cream to toke on. The opening drone of ‘Cosmic Vagabond’ quickly gives way to an extended instrumental passage before the vocals finally begin. The songs trance inducing tempo and fuzz guitars create a huge wall of sound around the bluesy, hypnotic vocals, before the song develops into an extended jam. Tinned up and fuzzed out opens with the trippiest guitar sound I’ve heard in a long time, like an Octavia pedal that runs off a twenty four pack not batteries. These guys are old school and realize that after the power of the riff, what separates the Gods from the mortals is being masters of dynamics. Most drummers these days play on eleven constantly but the reason these songs have such power is that the band know how to allow the songs to develop with incredible control over their instruments, stripping the songs right down when needed, before building up to huge crescendo’s. As we are transported to “Tinned Up and Fuzzed Out,” one thing is for certain: Mammothwing is no one trick pony. There are so many different sides of the band to appreciate, with this track showing a more heartfelt rock ‘n’ roll approach. And, as the title suggests, it’s loaded full of fuzz from beginning to end. The soothing vocals develop in a way that ensures the blues influence remains central. As the vocals make their exit point, the band builds a psychedelic wall of sound, with Marty’s guitar layering doom upon blues, as the rhythm section becomes the driving force that closes out the song. The shared vocal duties of brothers Bill and Marty fisher showcase their ability to blend the subtle with the soulful – to all out ballsy, which again is apparent in Black woman – a 12/8 jam with a stunning, gritty vocal from Bill. The footstomping bassline of ’69 is sure to be a live favorite, especially when the riff kicks in around 3:45 with the interchanging drums underneath it, building to a doom as fuck outro. Throughout, the production has a real organic quality which allows the instruments to breathe, and the absence of unnecessary overdubs makes it easy to visualize the songs and how they will transpire in the context of a live setting. Closing track Chump change could easily sit as strong as an opening track in my opinion with its ultra-heavy groove, and no matter how close to full on doom hell this band gets the Mississippi delta is always ever present in the rear view mirror. This LP will appeal to both blues and metal fans alike; it’s heavy enough to quench the metalheads bloodthirst whilst soulful enough for the hard living, bourbon swilling bluesman. While only five tracks long, 'Morning Light’ feels far more like a full-length release than an EP. Furthermore, each track has been crafted so perfectly that I have not a single complaint. Colossal. That would be the one word to describe Mammothwing's debut. Blues and doom happily live together on this record. It's a doom and blues-ridden psychedelic ride. Turn up the bass and enjoy. Very highly recommended. Want to know what it’d sound like if BB King, Jimi Hendrix, and Goatsnake formed a band? Then get to know Mammothwing! 1. Cosmic Vagabond - 0:00 2. Tinned Up & Fuzzed Out - 9:58 3. Black Woman - 16:07 4. 69' - 25:05 5. Chump Change - 30:24 Support Mammothwing by purchasing the album here ~ https://mammothwing.bandcamp.com/releases http://shop.bilocationrecords.com/index.php?a=55523&lang=eng https://www.facebook.com/mammothwing