Release
date: March 18th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: DD
The
Clearing – Tracklisting
Olympus
Mons
Phonophobia
Bengalore
Bob
Pressure
Radical
Mindmower
The
Bell
Gonzo
The
Goat
Gargantua
Band
Members:
Fabian
- Guitar and Vocals
Roman
- Drums and Vocals
Review:
Choke
The Palm Tree’s third album – The Clearing is a loud and heavy
fusion of Sludge, Stoner and Blues Rock. This is the first time I’ve
heard these guys and I’m very impressed with their new album. As it
contains the right amount of loud riffs with the quieter and slower
paced Blues Rock vibes. The vocals are what you expect from a band
such as Choke The Palm Tree. Loud, vibrant and quite brash at times.
You
certainly get your monies worth with eleven tracks on the album as
The Clearing will keep you entertained through out. It’s hard to
compare these guys to other bands as they definitely have their own
sound. Opening tracks Olympus Mons, Phonophobia and Bengalore are
heavy sludgy affairs with the band focusing more on volume than
actual lyrical content. The vocals can be under-produced at times
compared to the fast-paced and heavy sounding riffs. Actually I may
have been wrong about the vocals as after listening to this album a
few times I’m beginning to enjoy the vocals more and more. It may
take you a few listens to get used to the change of direction with
the vocals. Sometimes clean and other times slightly demonic.
It’s
best not to worry what the band are actually singing about and just
enjoy the great music the band have created here. It’s loud, fast,
violent and most of all FUN. Songs such as Bob, Pressure, Radical and
Gonzo explores the heavier sludge grooves from Choke The Palm Tree
and perhaps offer the albums exciting and heaviest moments.
The
production on the album is superb through out. With the band being
three albums into their career I feel this could be the album that
finally gets them noticed by a much wider audience. The Clearing is
an album I didn’t expect to like as I heard a few a tracks
originally and I wasn’t convinced. Now, given time with multiple
listens and more time to focus on the music, The Clearing is an
exciting and challenging album to listen to. Choke The Palm Tree
don’t stick to the usual genre conventions as they splice different
sounds on various parts of the album. Though it’s firmly rooted in
Sludge/Stoner Metal territory. Otherwise, The Clearing is an
excellent album and one you should all check out. Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Choke The Palm Tree for the promo. The Clearing will be available
to buy on DD from March 18th
2016.
Links:
