Acid Mammoth deliver an album of massive magnitude, that has risen from the deepest depths, and traveled far into the vast unknown of the void.
Caravan is the third Acid Mammoth full-length release, and the fourth overall with Heavy Psych Sounds Records. Caravan is a direct reflection of the bands moods and darkness felt during the COVID-19 induced total lockdown in their home of Athens, Greece. Acid Mammoth is a band of great friends, and a true family. The father and son duo of Chris Babalis Sr. and Chris Babalis Jr. on guitars (with Chris Jr. also on vocals) are joined in a deep Sabbath Worship by Dimosthenis Varikos on bass, and Marios Louvaris on drums. The production on Caravan is big and mighty, which is rightfully suited for a band named Acid Mammoth. This album is riff heavy and astral, with great builds and better payoffs. Thundering percussion and acid hooved bass move this caravan ever forward.
To open the album, “Berserker” has the fuzz pedal working overtime. The great sustain on the lead playing of the intro draws right into the charging riffs of the verse and beyond. The solo deserves utmost praise and bows of “We’re not worthy!” repeated over and over. “Berserker” readies the soul for the journey to come. “Psychedelic Wasteland” opens with some slower guitar over heavy marching drums. As the song title suggests, the days of 70s Psych and heavy rock (that would later become Metal) are very prominent within the sound. The wailing vocals, along with the incredible lead playing(there is a pattern here of fantastic musicianship) conjure Lovecraftian images of absolute doom within this wasteland devoid of humanity.
With heavier and lower octave riffs, “Ivory Towers” is felt in the deepest parts of the chest. The flow of one note to the next is mesmerizing. The chorus is captivating enough to stick inside the brain without being an unwelcome guest. At this point it is safe to say no Acid Mammoth song is complete without extraordinary lead playing and solos. “Ivory Towers” is no exception.
The title track, “Caravan”, is over 11 minutes of fuzzy groove filled heavy Stoner Doom. The creamiest solo of the album leaves planet Earth behind, only to have the heaviness of the bass bring it back down into caverns not uncovered since the Cenozoic Era. As “Caravan” fades out, it leaves a wanting for more. “Black Dust” closes the album just as “Berserker” opened it, full of fuzz and glorious progressions! Overall it is more of an epic than the previous songs. “Black Dust” pulls in for a journey and travels into the unknown where there is no turning back!
It’s been long said, and agreed, that the key to good Doom is held within the tone. Since Iommi first laid the groundwork in ’68, musicians have been hard after that good heavy tone. Heavy music keeps finding newer and better ways to entice the listener. Acid Mammoth have the right tone, the right groove, and the right creativity to become giants. They have taken that gift from the Gods of Rock & Roll and molded it into their own sound. Caravan digs deep into the earth, and propels farther into the unknown vastness of space. Heavy Psych Sounds Records releases Acid Mammoth’s Caravan on March 5th. Pre-orders and package deals are available now. Rereleases of Under Acid Hoof and first time physical pressings of Acid Mammoth’s Self-Titled debut album release March 12th.
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