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Sideburn - IV Monument review




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Reviewer:
8.7

8 users:
7.5
Band: Sideburn
Album: IV Monument
Release date: October 2012


01. Diamonds
02. Fire And Water
03. Tomorrows Dream
04. Crossing The Lines
05. The Last Day
06. Silverwing
07. The Saviour
08. Bring Down The Rain
09. Monument

There is a confession I need to make: I held off on doing this review for far too long. The first reason is I thought I was going to be reviewing the band Sideburn from Switzerland who are nothing more than an AC/DC tribute act. I've actually heard their music a while ago and was very turned off by it. Then I come to find out that this is not the band from Switzerland but the Sideburn from Sweden who play stoner metal. The second reason I held off on this review is because when I finally did hear it I found it so enjoyable it was hard for me to find the proper words for this album. I guess that's a great piece of wisdom for me, never judge an album by its band's name. So for the album itself, I have not had this much fun with a record since Three's The End Is Begun.


IV Moment is a alluring and upbeat stoner metal record very much in the vein of Corrosion of Conformity or The Sword without sounding like either band. For doom purists there are plenty of low and slow riffs with enough uniqueness to hold your attention, while fans of the melodic and catchy stoner style will be drawn to the infectious grooves oozing from this album. One thing that Sideburn does extremely well on this album is balancing the stoner and doom elements perfectly. The emotions on this rise and fall like the Appalachian Trail; one moment it's dark and gloomy the next you're soaring high above the clouds.


This album is so emotive due to the robust and solid writing and performance all around. Variety is the spice of life and this album is very flavorful with it's doomy ground and pound attitude offset by high flying ballads. Hearing a band do really great ballads is so refreshing since I've heard so few in the last several years. Several times on this record there is a vocal melody line that is instantly attractive and memorable you'll be humming (and maybe even dancing) along into the night. The more I listen to this album as a whole, I get a similar feeling that I did as a kid when I use to listen to Led Zeppelin's fourth album. It is just enjoyable from start to finish.


The competence of the musicians is very apparent as they show confidence in making each note count. The guitar tones on this album bring a familiar sensation that I find hard to place. The warming yet haunting vocals ebb and flow like the tidal waters. Complementing bass lines ride smoothly along the tastefully used percussion as they deliver precise rhythms through and through. If I have one complaint about the record it would be the production, as I feel it could have been polished a little bit more. But then again this is a stoner metal record and their not known for having high production values.


If you are looking for some solid and semi psychedelic stoner metal, check this album out. If you looking for some doom drenched hard rock, check this out. If you are looking for catchy songs that are not about riding into battle on your majestic steed with your plus 5 fire sword to slaughter the minions of the Goblin King and rescue the princess of light, check this album out.





Written on 17.04.2013 by Dane hails from Asheville, NC which is Beer City, USA. When he is not drinking various craft and micro brews, Dane fronts the Stoner Doom Metal band, The Quick. He also has a massive collection of Hellboy comic books.


Comments

Comments: 1   Visited by: 25 users
02.05.2013 - 14:16
Rating: 7
Ace Frawley
The Spaceman
Thanks for the review. I bought the album after reading it and have been enjoying it a lot. Don't think I'll rate it so highly though, probably because it lacks originality for me. The songs are still growing on me though and it's just a great listen.
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