The mighty behemoth which is Beastwars are back with their sixth album. The quartet of James Woods (bass), Nathan Hickey (drums), Matt Hyde (vocals) and Christian Pearce (guitars) have been making some amazing stoner/sludge sounds for nearly 20 years now, and when I saw them play a few years back, I could not believe just how loud they were, music as a weapon. Listening to this now I realised the only way to feel the noise it’s when it’s good and loud (heard that somewhere before..) as this does not really make sense when it is being played at a reasonable volume, it needs to be on headphones and for people in the next house still be able to enjoy it as well. It is then that the slabs of metal become things of nature, moving with the force of an earthquake with nothing able to stand in their path, with Matt cutting through it all.
There are times when they really slow it down, and the riff is all that exists, with bass, guitar and drums having an unearthly connection. Strangely, even though this is so intense, there is also lots of space care of some very effective and sympathetic production from James Goldsmith who worked with them on their last three albums and also provides their live sound. This is not music for the fainthearted, as the band clearly demonstrates that metal does not need to be played fast to have real presence, and I have no doubt that if Beastwars were based in Europe they would be far more well-known, but down here in Aotearoa they are rightfully an institution. Another solid release which metalheads would do well to discover.
Rating: 7/10