Black Land - Extreme Heavy Psych

In 2001, the original band was formed under the name "Wizard". This remained till 2005 when the band created a new identity by calling themselves Black Land. The first four years of the band was a search for some type of stylistic coherence and that came in 2005 with a new name and the "Evil Of Mankind" album. The line up of Willer (guitar,vocals), Cantena (guitar), Pinna (bass) and Nick (drums) have since carve out a unique place in the world of Italian Stoner Doom that feels right at home with the other gods of Italian Stoner Doom, Doomraiser. The band's direction has taken a more Space Rock influenced sound over the last few years while still keeping its roots in Doom Metal and 70's Psychedelic Rock. A wide reaching and varied influenced band, "Extreme Heavy Psych" takes it style from bands like Electric Wizard, Pentagram, Saint Vitus, Paul Chain, Black Sabbath, Cathedral, Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Orange Goblin, Monster Magnet and the more spacey 70's bands like Hawkwind, Captain Beyond etc etc and you can hear a little chunk of all these influences on nearly every song on this album.

From the very Hawkwind-ish intro of "Psych No.1" to the incredibly tight and catchy mid-tempo sections that are very similar to the grooves of Pentagram, this track has a bit of everything crammed into its 10 minutes. Groovy bass lines, cowbell and some mind-blowing spacey sounds and guitar work. This is very drug-induced music, the perfect soundtrack to your next magic mushroom session. "Black Wizard" has a gloomy atmosphere that is obviously inspired by 70's proto-doom bands, once again its been done before many times but its also done with a real authentic feel of the 70's rather than sounding like a cheap copy. The whole album is a real serious guitar work-out and no more so than on "Black Wizard". One of the riffs on this tune is real close to a old Captain Beyond tune so of course, it had my head spinning with nothing but admiration and immense stoned euphoria. "Life And Death" has some more massive 70's riff work of the Pentagram mold, even the vocals has a Liebling vibe about it. The spaciness of the guitar sound and the earthly organic feel of the production gives "Life And Death" a trippy, strange atmosphere that Italian bands are especially good at producing. "Drowning Deeply" is more Psychedelic Rock fused with a relaxed 70's doom groove, it sounds a little bit cheesy at times but this is the kind of music that is real hard to hate.

"R and R Bite" is pure 70's cock rock and i mean that in a good way, catchy as anything you will ever hear this year. This is pure good fun old school rock and roll that is designed for backyard, beer drinking barbecues. Yes, its very mainstream in its delivery but the infectious quality of the song is irresistible. "Holy Weed Of The Cosmos" is a floating, cosmic trip that takes you away on a scenic, stoned daydream. Beautifully played and a prefect interlude at the halfway point on Extreme Heavy Psych. Totally opposite is the next track "From The Black To The Rainbow", you must be in a coma if this track doesn't make your neck muscles move. Killer riff work and another catchy, infectious melody carries the song and even the slower breaks within the song have a timeless quality about it. "From The Black To The Rainbow" builds in sonic, psychedelic intensity as the song progresses, getting more surreal and hypnotic at every turn. "Victims Of The Cast" is the final track and its another groove-fest riffing marathon that is extended to close to 10 minutes of twisting, turning musical sections that never get tedious or dull. The bluesy middle section featuring a extended wailing lead break automatically conjures up images of those old 70's festival movies you properly have seen many times. When the track eventually winds down to its suitably cosmic, hallucinogenic ending you are left knowing you have just wrapped your ears around something pretty cool, especially if you still dig the Acid Rock of the late 60's and early 70's.

Black Land are hippie, stoned out Psychedelic Doom Rock and are not ashamed to show their influences, they come through loud and clear in every song. If there is a negative point to be made about "Extreme Heavy Psyche" its that it is a little predictable in parts especially for a old dood like myself who has been listening to Psychedelic Rock since the early 70's. Also the vocals are a little bit ordinary, still very listenable but they sound a bit flat in places and lacking emotion. The album plays out like a homage to the 70's greats more than a fresh take on the style but at the same time, the great riffs, the incredibly high amount of catchy grooves and the excellent production makes this a album that is impossible to get out of your head even just after one spin. Fans of older, modern exponents of 70's proto-doom like Witchcraft should dig this as will fans of more recent bands like Orchid. I think they may need to work on more original ideas in the future if they want to have a long-lasting appeal and career but in the meantime, Extreme Heavy Psych will satisfy any cravings you might have for retro, psychedelic hard rock that is both kick ass but easily digestible. The conclusion is, check out Black Land, they are a real trip. 8.5/10

http://www.myspace.com/blackland

Now that sounds pretty promising!

I'm gonna check them out. . .