What good is all-encompassing power and presence if you can’t have a little bit of fun with it? In most instances, we find that plenty of bands take their presence and power quite seriously with many able to deliver quality many times over, but there is just something about when a band is able to translate their energy into something that can become singularly infectious. The best acts of such are able to do so while still putting forth material that is singularly uncompromising. Earthbong is more than apt at bringing such a scenario to life many times over with their newest effort only continuing that trend.
There are many out there in the vast realms of stoner heaviness that take their material very straight, but it’s those that are able to turn that source material into something potent and addicting that often stick in our minds and keep us coming back for more time after time. Earthbong has become a staple name in the stoner doom sound for good reason with their intense presence, slow pacing, and overwhelming heaviness that brings nothing but glory to this sound that has seen a solid level of consistency from its denizens. This year has been a litter lackluster in delivering interesting works of the sound in my experience, and it’s really only fitting that Earthbong would eliminate such a dry spell with “Salutations to the Cultivators”. Four tracks off long-winded heaviness that’s precisely what many of us have come to expect from Earthbong at this point in their career, this record is nothing short of prime real estate for any and every fan of stoner metal or overwhelming heaviness with fans of both sure to have a damn good time with everything found throughout this release. With an aura that demonstrates clearly how much fun Earthbong is having with their craft and still delivering an experience that’s as intense as it is undeniably ferocious, “Salutations to the Cultivators” is the shot of adrenaline that this sound has been desperately needing this year.
While far from breaking any real new ground with this creation, it demands to be made clear that Earthbong has only deepened their connection to the sound and shown us that they are still more than capable of delivering stoner excellence the likes of which has more than earned them a place in modern stoner heaviness royalty. “Salutations to the Cultivators” is as heavy as it is consistent with Earthbong simply in top form from beginning to end.
“Salutations to the Cultivators” releases on October 23rd via The Lasting Dose Records!
LISTEN to an advanced track from “Salutations to the Cultivators” on Bandcamp here.
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