Home

Andrew Field

  • Andrew Field Home Page
  • blog
Home » Blogs » Andrew's blog

Morass of Molasses - These Paths We Tread

Submitted by Andrew on Tue, 02/28/2017 - 18:44


Morass of Molasses
These Paths We Tread
Hevisike Records
Release Date 19th May 2017

Let’s start at the end. These Paths We Tread is a remarkable album, and you should definitely buy it. Whilst there are some great bands out there playing sublime riffs only a few are likely to elevate themselves above and beyond “the scene” and gain wider attention. Morass of Molasses are a prime candidate for bigger things.

At the heart of this power trio’s sound is heavy blues rock. Think ZZ Top at their nastiest, or the best bits of Foghat. Add in a dose of sludge, a sprinkling of doom, a good dollop of stoner, some classic rock for good measure plus the band’s own special sauce – and you’ve got a slick riff machine that’s all set to go places.

Axemen Bones ‘The Beard’ Huse and Phil 'The Mountain' Williams have an armoury chock full of catchy hooks and deliver them with considerable groove and swagger, with Huse alternating between a warm baritone and rasping growl as he spits out his lyrics. Pan basher Chris ‘The Beast’ West anchors things in the tightest of styles, sat nicely behind the beat in true New Orleans fashion. When the three hit their stride, as in screaming third song Serpentine, the results are timeless and breath-taking.

Things reach their swampy peak with the double whammy of The Ritual, an unsettling unaccompanied female vocal track which summons up images of sacrifice, and Centralia, a mountainous blues riff monster with every kind of dirt under its finger nails – like Billy Gibbons on steroids.

As with all the best albums, These Paths We Tread is a grower. It reveals nuances and charms with each and every play. It’s a full body of work designed to be listened to in one sitting, not just a collection of songs you can dip in and out of. It reeks of quality song writing, immaculate performances, and a wonderful production courtesy of Matt Bew.

These Paths We Tread is, in short, something a little bit special.

  • Andrew's blog
I love Smashing Magazine!
Fervens Drupal theme by Leow Kah Thong. Designed by Design Disease and brought to you by Smashing Magazine.