Oxford, the University city of screaming spires, of boat races and spaffers who end up in Government. Not where you’d associate gnarly but progressive metal with a stoner edge. But this has been used as an introduction to many reviews of Desert Storm, the four-piece who formed in 2007 and who have carved out their own place in the UK scene. Ignoring their surroundings, the band now return with their latest album, Death Rattle, and it’s another fine release which sits comfortably alongside their catalogue.
Death Rattle continues to bring the crushing riffs which are moulded with infectious groove in this record. “Cheyne Stoking” is the classic example of Desert Storm in full flight. A combination of dirty riffs wielded to expansive passages which provoke thought. It’s more than just a crushing stoner experience.
Move forward through Death Rattle and you’ll encounter different styles which Desert Storm have crafted in their 15+ years together, There’s the sludgy groove of “Melatone”, with it’s huge stomp, fuzzed up riffage and the beastly roars of singer Matt Ryan, and the gentler calm of “Salt of the Earth”, which features some melodic acoustic guitar work before intermittent, explosive passages rage. It’s full of heaviness, heft, and dynamic thunder punching riffs. It’s the sound of the gods clashing in the clouds, huge and powerful.
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It’s the punishing, unforgiving wave after wave of riff that is usually what I associate with Desert Storm, but Death Rattle sees them introduce a much more measured approach than in previous releases. The intricate sections which drift into sonic soundscapes of almost psychedelic proportions on songs like “Druid’s Heath” create an atmospheric and mesmerising experience.
Death Rattle is both instantaneous and a grower. The immediacy of the songs means you can appreciate them straight away, but if you want to really enjoy this album, then full immersion is both necessary and essential. If you get to the final track “New Dawn” and don’t want to hit play again, then maybe Desert Storm aren’t for you. If you have that itch, then I’d say that Oxford’s finest are most definitely in the running for an album that’ll feature highly in the end of year polls.
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Death Rattle is out on March 31st
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