(c) Slower
In addition to Fu Manchu, Big Scenic Nowhere and Yawning Balch, Bob Balch currently can’t seem to get enough outlets for his creativity and has now rounded up all kinds of celebrities for a special tribute project. When he showed a guitar student “South Of Heaven” by Slayer slowed down to start with, he noticed how casual it actually sounded. This quickly gave rise to the idea for a doomy cover version, which ultimately became a complete album. Under the name of Slower Balch invited all sorts of stoner and doom colleagues for a Slayer covers album, which was also just plain „Slower“ is called.
Said “South Of Heaven” is the only track with a different line-up. In addition to Balch and Esben Willems (Monolord), who plays drums on all songs, Kyuss legend Scott Reeder and Laura Plesants, who once worked with Kylesa, are also involved. The iconic Slayer song now lasts seven minutes, but is still the most recognizable as such. Sure, the original was a bit more leisurely, plus the well-known infernal riff, but slowers put their own stamp on the proceedings. Pleasants’ soft vocals, psychotic guitar tones and roasting heaviness put you in the mood.
The four other, overlong tracks are more daring. Willems and Balch are supported here by Peder Bergstrand (Lowrider) and Amy Barrysmith (Year Of The Cobra), who are already enjoying the opener “War Ensemble”. Angry, yet simmering heaviness makes an impression, Barrysmith’s ethereal vocals get under your skin, and the oppressive middle part of the ten-minute track is particularly fun to listen to. “Blood Red” is perhaps not a track that you expected, but it comes out really well in the far-dry Stoner Doom guise with a guitar solo that carefully works its way forward – overwhelming in installments, if you will.
In just under 40 minutes, Slower use a kind of heavy-handed attrition tactic that absolutely works. The force with which they create these five tracks alone is incredibly fun. This is unlikely to convert Slayer fans, but the material on “Slower” is definitely fun. The exciting song choice, which rarely relies on the obvious, meets riff power, dry heaviness, biting fuzz and two magnificent voices that breathe an eerie atmosphere into the thrash gods. This somewhat different tribute album is a success across the board.
Rating: 8/10
Available from: January 26, 2024
Available via: Heavy Psych Sounds Records (Cargo Records)
Instagram: www.instagram.com/slower_666
Category: Magazin, Reviews