SIDEBURN — The Demon Dance (review)

SIDEBURN — The Demon Dance album cover Album · 2010 · Doom Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Windhawk
Swedish act SIDEBURN was formed back in 1997, and issued their debut album in 2002. A sophomore effort followed in 2007. "The Demon Dance", recorded in 2008, is the third production of this band and was issued in the spring of 2010 by Swedish label Transubstans Records.

When looking up information on this band, I found it curious to see that they are generally regarded as a stoner metal act. It's been many years since I followed this scene and genre closely, but unless rather radical changes have occurred to what constitutes this stylistic expression in the meantime, I'd say that Sideburn represents a rather sophisticated example of the genre. If they actually belong within his segment at all.

When that is said, the influence from bands like Black Sabbath is notable. Sludgy, grimy, heavy and distorted riffs are churned out with ease, in a manner almost more similar to 90's doom masters Electric Wizard than to what Tony Iommi & Co. created back in the 70's. At least when it comes to overall sound, as the style itself is still closer to the latter. But added to this are a few subtle sophisticated features, like organs popping up now and then and even what sounds suspiciously like a mellotron but might just be atmospheric backing vocals, the placement in the mix makes this hard to decide.

The latter is a much more frequent aspect of the other half of this band's repertoire though. Because this disc is just as much about hard rock with distinct touches of Led Zeppelin, with a focus on the more art-tinged aspects of their discography. There's a couple of tunes here that should sit right at home with anyone who thinks that Kashmir is a brilliant number, and the bluesy side of Zeppelin is given a nice homage as well, in the shape of Shining. Added to these ventures are more or less subtle touches of the doom and stoner variety, basically resulting in an album combining the styles of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath in two different manners. At least if you'd like to describe it in a fast and easy manner.

Touches of grunge is a part of these proceedings as well though, and while melodic guitar soloing and the occasional shedding will be encountered, the psychedelic oriented guitar sound is given ample room throughout as well.

Personally I found this album a bit so-so though. Many songs never manage to rise above an ordinary level of interest for me, but the tracks that does inspire my curiosity does so very well. By and large I'd imagine that this is an effort that should find a good home amongst those that generally like both Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, and who enjoy listening to vintage inspired metal with an above average level of sophistication.
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