Tuesday 26 April 2016

Pyramido - Vatten (Album Review)


Release date: May 1st 2016. Label: Halo Of Flies. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Vatten – Tracklisting

En linje i sanden
Att Bida Sin Tid
Tempus
Aktion
En Rak Linje

Band Members:

Ronnie Källback - Vocals
Dan Widing - Bass
Sticky Manchester - Drums
Henrik Wendel - Guitar
Dan Hedlund - Guitar

Review:

Three years since releasing their last album – Saga, Swedish Sludge/Doom Metal mob – Pyramido – return with their new album Vatten. This will be released on ace record label Halo Of Flies. Pyramido’s sound has changed a little since Saga with the guys trying their hand at heavy waves of Psychedelic Rock merged with intense slabs of Doom Metal. The vocals are yet again heavy with a real muscular drive which adds a more menacing vibe compared to previous Pyramido albums.

The guys have been doing this for almost ten years now. Pyramido know how to write and deliver a heartfelt pounding riff though they do offer some cool surprises on the album. Such as post-metallic riffs here and there on tracks such as En linje i sanden, Tempus and Aktion. Obviously with these guys being from Sweden they know the tricks of the trade in delivering a fiercely action-packed album. The album never outstays its brief 37 minute run time. Pyramido have written five songs that last about seven to eight minutes each. It allows the band to try their hand at a more progressive style of Doom/Sludge Metal and the album becomes better for it.

I would comment on the lyrical content however as with previous Pyramido albums, Vatten is sung in the band’s native tongue. Though you can tell when the tone of the album becomes emotional as lead vocalist – Ronnie - becomes very passionate and delivers some of his best work on the album. The riffs become slightly poignant and less heavy in places with the band playing a more psych based post-rock vibe. Though I can reassure long-time Pyramido fans the album is packed full of heavy Sludge/Doom Metal riffs that show you the band haven’t lost none of their anger or verve on their fourth album.

The second half of the album sees Pyramido create a more post-metal based atmosphere and that allows them to create the albums heaviest moments especially when merged with a despairing doom and gloom style of music. My final thoughts on the album are that Pyramido have released an album that will appeal to long-time fans of the band and attract a few more to join their ever-growing legion. Vatten is a stunning album from start to finish and one that you will be coming back to for a long time to come.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to The Black Birch PR for the promo. Vatten will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Halo Of Flies from May 1st 2016.

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