Review Summary: Face melting riffs, acid-soaked grooves, dark atmospheres...
Sonic Scapes & Weedy Grooves is the debut album from Poland’s Belzebong, and its title perfectly sums up the monolithic heaviness and dark atmosphere the album creates. The band has naturally overdosed on the Black Sabbath influence, with trademark Iommi riffs having a clear and prominent effect on the music of these weedian riffugees of reality (yes, they call themselves that), however the evil soundscapes they produce in some of the songs portray a more unique and individual style.
All 4 songs presented on the album are face-smashing. Each song presents the listener with massive groovy riffage and fuzzed out euphoria. Each riff manages to penetrate the senses effortlessly, and if you don’t head bang to a song such as “Names Of The Devil” then there is genuinely something wrong with you. Alongside the humongous riffs, there is often a darker side to the album, shown through the use of audio samples and soundscapes. For example, the introduction to album closer “Acid Funeral” is an audio sample warning kids about taking acid. The audio sample in “Names Of The Devil” is of a crazy man rambling over a twisted soundscape. Moments like these show the dark vibe encapsulating this album, as do some of the plentiful, filthy riffs.
A very prominent musical arrangement is used multiple times in the album. The arrangement is when the bass guitar or a less distorted guitar (or both) is the only instrument playing the riff, and then the guitars and drums swiftly kick in producing the much more heavier version of the riff. This is hugely effective in the opening of “Bong Thrower” and “Acid Funeral” and around the 3 minute mark of “Names Of The Devil”, and this creates unforgettable and powerful moments. Furthermore, the bass often plays the same riff as the main guitar once it has become heavier, which leads to a hypnotic effect on the listener.
Sonic Scapes & Weedy Grooves is an album packed full of catchy and gargantuan riffs, as well as evil, acid-soaked atmospheres. Get it if you want to head bang till your neck becomes sore.
