Regular readers of Desert Psychlist will know that most of our reviews are split between music that is gnarly and crushing and that which is lilting and psychedelic as well as music that falls somewhere between the two. Today though we are reviewing a band whose music could just as easily be seen gracing the Doom Charts as it could heard gracing the airwaves of mainstream rock radio, a band with an undeniably American sound but one edged with world-crossing metallic growl and bite. The band we speak of are a Ohio three piece, consisting of Derrick Walter (guitar); Ryan Sharkey (drums) and Joe Marshall (bass/vocals), who go by the name Megaton Communion, the album we are reviewing today is their debut "Red Sky Warning" (Black Doomba Records), we think you'll like it.
"Red Sky Warning" opens its account with "Kentucky Buddha", there is no fancy intro here, no polite knocking on the door asking for access, instead we get a crunchy and raunchy circular guitar motif pushed hard by low growly bass and punchy percussion virtually kicking said door clear off its hinges. The groove does settle down somewhat when the vocals come in, which are delivered husky strong and clean, but it is that recurring guitar motif that is the real deal-breaker here. We did mention in our intro piece to this review that Megaton Communion have that rock radio friendly card in their back pockets and they play that card to perfection on next song "Seven Sacred Pools", a mid tempo southern flavoured rocker with a soulfully sang vocal melody and tastefully delivered guitar solos, it is no wonder the band chose this as a single to promote the album with. Next up comes the instrumental "Heir To The Earth", Walter's guitar work, ably supported by Sharkey's solid drumming and Marshall's low bouncy bass lines, is sublime here, no flashy shredding just feel drenched solos and thrumming chord progressions. "I-80 West" follows and is lyrically a road song, Marshall bemoaning "long highways" and being "too far from home" in wearied but soulful tones, however the vocal is just a fraction of the song the real meat and potatoes of this tome comes in its middle section when the band slip into jam mode with searing solos firing off in all directions, some scorching and bluesy and some textured and lysergic. "Undone" begins life fairly laid-back and languid which makes Marshall's vocal, when it comes in, all the more surprising, those husky soulful tones are here replaced by tones that almost border on harsh and hardcore, strangely it is the clash of styles between the vocals and the music that makes this song work, had Marshall opted for his usual soulful huskiness much of the songs impact would have, in our opinion, been diluted. "Disbelief" sees the band donning their desert rock hats for a deliciously riff heavy barnburner with minimal vocal content but a ton of groove. "Pass Me Over" follows and has a similar desert rock feel to its predecessor but this time with an ear catching vocal melody as its main focus. Final song "The End Of Everything" combines elements of grungy Americana with stonerized hard rock and psych, it is probably the albums most expansive and diverse track and deservedly merits its place as the albums curtain closer.
Megaton Communion's "Red Sky Warning" is a superbly well balanced collection of songs that should appeal to both mainstream rock radio listeners and those of a more "underground" persuasion, an album with the swagger and strut of southern rock, the crunch and growl of stoner metal and the panache and polish of classic rock.
Check it out ....
© 2024 Frazer Jones
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