Album Review: Desert Storm – Buried Under The Weight of Reason
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
Oxford’s formidable stoner metal quartet Desert Storm are back with nine new weighty tracks that are set to shake the foundations of British metal to its very core. Having been fortunate to catch up with the Cole twins when they’ve been touring as Wall, the expectation levels for this new release have been palpable from within the metal community.
They have returned with tracks that cover many different areas, from the wilderness, ceremony and chaos of human condition, all whilst pushing their own boundaries, combining sludge, doom and heavy metal with periods of softness, space and vulnerability. “Newfound Respect” has that vast sound that the group are renowned for and then the raspy vocals of Matt Ryan hit you during the slow and heavy melody.
They are fronting up from the very beginning and when the riff kicks in, it’s like an immoveable object, however, “Shamanic Echoes” is a complete 180, more hypnotic and hulking, with imposing and domineering vocals from Ryan. There’s a huge presence in the composition yet there’s a sombre moment that gives time for reflection with a guitar solo that’s calming and reassuring. “Woodsman” sees them embracing their delicate side, with destructive shots juxtaposing the narrative, as another powerful track emerges.
With additional guitars from Chris White spread across the album, the songs have a heavier edge, as he works well in tandem with Ryan Cole. The rhythm section of Andrew Keyzor on bass and drummer Elliot Cole, power the songs and release the energy for the other to shine. “Cut Your Teeth” is a fine example of this, as they grind you down before the subtle solo giving a reassured presence. The meandering “Rot to Ruin” has an air of malevolence surrounding it, but a drum fills takes it off in a different direction, more magical, but still as fearsome. And just when you think it’s over, they take off down another path to broaden the experience further.
“Carry The Weight” is a thought-provoking instrumental number, with textured guitars over a more ambient sound building up before it’s slowed down to allow “Dripback” to rip your head off. This is probably my favourite song on the album, as it’s heavier and faster, and at just over 2 minutes in length, it’s a short, sharp furious blast. They return with further melodic musings on the epic “Law Unto Myself”, as the drums get a proper thumping and the song rattles along at a lively pace. My only complaint with this song is that it’s too short, as I could have listened to that for ages, so I just kept pressing replay.
Bringing up the rear is the raucous “Twelve Seasons” which is fast and heavy, however there’s a different edge to Ryan’s vocal, a bit space age in parts, which is great to hear, before the guitars go a bit mad and spill over into riff heaven. It’s showing how the band are developing and expanding their sound without losing any of what they do best.
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