Morass Of Molasses Dish Out A Stew of Doom and Heavy Blues
~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~
By Billy Goate
It’s been a pair of years since we last heard from MORASS OF MOLASSES. Having followed the Reading trio since the demo days, I was impressed by the rigor of their debut EP, 'So Flows Our Fate' (2015). I had no idea that their follow-up record -- a seven-track full-length -- was going to match that fearless performance and, in many ways, exceed it. 'These Paths We Tread' (2017 - HeviSike) is yet further evidence that the United Kingdom hosts one of the heaviest scenes on the planet today, period. Bands like Morass Of Molasses, OHHMS, Ghold, Sea Bastard and their contemporaries are painting on a massive canvas with colors heretofore only hinted at by their predecessors.
Those enamored with the sludgey songs Morass Of Molasses served up in the first go 'round will not be disappointed in the slightest by these new numbers. Indeed, the Bloodstock alumni continue to earn their stripes as swamp master generals on These Paths We Tread. Frontman Bones "The Beard" Huse has always had a way with storytelling, drawing inspiration from mythical archetypes and backwoods folk tales. The songs are further enhanced by the virtuosity of guitarist Phil "The Mountain" Williams, whose brilliant flourishes and bluesy solos recall Corrosion of Conformity, Mos Generator, and the heavy metal panache of late '80s. Drummer Chris "The Beast" West joins The Beard on baritone guitar to give us one hell of a headbanging beat (I dare you to sit still during even one of these songs). All of the parts work together in exciting synchronicity, making this a record you're likely to listen to in several consecutive spins, as did I.
"My Leviathan," the song Doomed & Stoned is premiering today, is an impressive start to These Paths We Tread. The track is replete with thoughtful details, like those delicate opening moments that lead into a foreboding, melancholy theme. When the vocals arrive, we feel them in a powerful way. The singing morphs from stoic calm to unbridled rage. The riffs are hefty, the rhythm tight. Morass Of Molasses are masters of contrast, juxtaposing gentle rain with fearsome thunder. The net impact is a solid emotional punch that is bound to linger in your memory.
Give ear...
These Paths We Tread was engineered and mixed By Matt Bew at Whitehouse Studios and mastered by Neil Pickles at Reveal Sounds. The album cover is work of UK artist Dominic Sohor, who also did a masterful job of conceptualizing their last record. The album drops May 19th via English label HeviSike, which released the Morass Of Molasses EP, as well as music by fellow UK bands Trippy Wicked, Bright Curse, Stubb, Prophets of Saturn, Grifter, and Gorilla. Stay tuned to www.hevisike.comfor additional details about These Paths We Tread in weeks ahead.
Track Listing:
My Leviathan
So They Walk
Serpentine
The Ritual
Centralia
Maenads
Wrath Of Aphrodite
Photo By Matt Negus
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Catch The Beard, The Beast, and The Mountain on the road as Morass of Molasses present the 'Rise From The Deep' Tour.
