Stoner rock is one of the most astounding and incredible genres emerging in the rock scene today. It's a global phenomenon with countless bands across the world, plus various subgenres such as desert rock, stoner doom and psychedelic (heavily influenced by the original psychedelic bands of the '60s and '70s).
At the forefront of this genre and in the vanguard of this blossoming scene is the band Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. This Cambridge, England based band has been making headway and crafting an interesting blend of doom, psychedelic and hard rock since 2009. They have been consistently releasing some overwhelmingly fantastic albums of pure aural stoner bliss.
The band has released their 7th full-length album titled Shapes of Midnight, put out on their own Killer Candy Records. It was recorded at the historically significant Abbey Road studios using much of the same exact pieces of equipment that this studio used to record legendary bands such as The Beatles and Pink Floyd. The album was mastered by engineer Chris Bolster who has worked with Ozzy Osbourne and Paul McCartney. Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats have gone to great lengths here to produce the highest quality record possible. And they have no doubt achieved this with outstanding effect.
This album, Shapes of Midnight, takes its listeners on a journey into a dark mystical world of psychedelic intoxication of a magical kind. Upon listening to the record we are first met with the piece "House by the Grave." First, you'll notice heavy slabs of impressive guitar riffs of the best Black Sabbath-type quality, filled out with your typical rock instruments and additional, lush vocals reminiscent of Marc Bolan of T-Rex]. The skill and musicianship of their playing is top notch and total quality. They have a very unique sound that is all their own and it’s very appealing. The next track, "Shapes of Midnight" is just as fascinating. It's written with NWOBHM influences such as Iron Maiden.
This album is a concept album based partly on Edgar Allen Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" story and the lyrics are very poetic with a dark, grim beauty. For those that feel downtrodden by a difficult existence trying to just survive in this crazy world, you will definitely be able to identify with the themes presented here. They offer a plentitude of vicarious relief through listening.
The third song on the album is "When Evil Wakes." Rhythmically wonderful guitars, drums and bass with tantalizing vocal harmonies -- including the tasty addition of vintage sounding keyboards -- gives a trippy atmosphere to it and creates something of a sinister Doors experience. The album continues with "Don't Let It Control You." It's a marvelous song and could definitely be interpreted to be speaking to an entire generation of youth considering how much mainstream media and social media networks are monopolizing and brainwashing our collective consciousness with utter mindless, harmful and brainless information.
Up next is "Psycho on the Loose," which is total prog rock meets glam, exceptionally done with hints of the band Ratt. "I Won't Sleep ('till You're Gone)" is a miraculous number which was definitely invoked by hard rock of the '70s such as bands Granicus or Budgie. Second to last we have "The Other Side of the Sky" with heavy, slow moving guitar riffs, drums and bass which could be a blend of Vol. 4 era Black Sabbath meets '80s hair metal legends Slaughter or Doro. The finale of the record is the work "Sleep No More," which has more vibes of classic L.A. glam.
This album Shapes of Midnight is a culmination of years spent crafting and perfecting a uniquely gorgeous style on the part of Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. They have created an album of sonic excellence in lyrics, form and sound. It's sure to become a timeless classic of the stoner rock genre. The band have definitely outdone themselves and exceeded all expectations here. It's simply an unbelievably amazing record and one of the must-hear albums of the year!
