SPECTRECIDE ~ self titled EP review

Now and then an album or EP will turn up that you want to share with others but are not quite sure if those others are going to feel the same way you do about it. "Spectracide" is one such EP and although it contains many of those elements my fellow peers, salivate over i.e. psych, space and metal that is enhanced with heavy riffs and heavy rhythms it is put together in such a way that it could be considered a little on the "acquired taste" side of things.

Spectrecide (the band) are a trio from Atlanta, Georgia comprising of Austin Pacini (guitar, lead vocals), Joe Smith (bass, vocals) and Nathan McKinney (drums) and fuse Mastadon type heaviness with spacey psych ambience and prog metal complexity coated in a blanket of groovy funkiness.

"Frostbitten Plains" gets things rolling with a deliciously seductive bass guitar intro that is then joined by howling feedback before the song takes off on its glorious instrumental journey through the cosmos driven by a totally infectious, heavily effect laden, guitar motif that is underpinned with some solid jazzy drumming and to die for bass work.
"Among The Holy Mountains" drops things back to Terra Firma with a heavily eastern themed groove that conjures up images of  golden temples set on high cliffs overlooking vast desert plains. This strong mystic vibe  is further enhanced by the mantra like, almost Gregorian, chants that accompany the music. I was slightly reminded of SLEEP's Dopesmoker/Jerusalem while listening to this, it has that same feeling of spiritualism and journey that was invoked on that iconic album.
"Beast Infection" sees the band jamming on a another instrumental eastern groove but this time with a little more pace and vigour. Pacini lays down a circular almost raga type riff that is perfectly complimented by Smith's exquisite bass chops and McKinneys unbelievable deft percussion work. Pacini breaks away from the main riff every now and then adding flurries of psych tinged guitar solos and licks that give the tune a real feeling of colour and vibrancy.
"The Bardo" is next and for the first time on the EP we get "proper" vocals. Pancini's gruff stoner growl, slightly echoed and low sit against a backdrop of heavy stoner metal riffage and rhythms that are in total contrast to the Ep's three previous tunes but nevertheless work perfectly with them.
"Heavy Belt Blues" comes out of the starting gate with a heavy slow stuttering bass and guitar riff that then morphs into an almost straight (for this band) bluesy stoner metal groove that sees Pancini growling the verses and Smith taking over for the funky chorus. The tune then shifts into a quirky and quite brilliant blues rock jam with Pancini ripping out some furious guitar solo's under which McKinney and Smith lock in tight in a glorious display of rhythmic prowess.
"Alphalords" closes the EP with a mind melting display of musicianship. Partly prog metal, partly stoner/psych jam the track is a perfect showcase for what is good about this band. McKinney alternates between heavy metal thunder and jazzy intricacy utilising every inch of his kit, pushing and driving the other two musicians with his solid and complex rhythmic power. Smith, whose bass playing is for me the highlight of this EP, lays down a groove that you can feel in your bones, whether locked in tight with the drummer or going off on one of his glorious booming funky tangents he never drops below the brilliant mark! Pancini meanwhile coats everything in swathes of colour and texture, one minute shredding the next laying down a solo or motif full of feel and passion, his guitar an extension of himself, at one with the groove.
If your looking for something a little different, a little off the wall and quirky but still want to remain within the parameters  of the rock underground then check out Spectrecide........