sHEAVY
"The
Electric Sleep" (Rise Above Records)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Canada has given the music world the arty progression of Rush, the
space-metal of Voivod, the hard rock of Reckon With One, the grind of Cryptopsy, and the nu-metal of
Hammerbag. Now you can add stoner rock to the list. sHEAVY produce a typically Sabbath-like sheen on their stoner
rock with their sophomore effort "The Electric Sleep."
The music finds a happy medium between the relentless fuzz of Kyuss and the smoother tones of
Queens Of The Stone Age. sHEAVY find time to incorporate acoustic guitars ("Velvet"), the blues
("Electric Sleep"), grooves ("Automation"), a touch of gothic doom ("Oracle"), and a ballad
("Savannah") throughout "The Electric Sleep".
Steve Hennessey's vocals are the closest to the inebriated Ozzy Osbourne tone (that we've all come
to love) that I've ever heard.
If you find yourself resisting the urge to make a purchase in the stoner genre, sHEAVY is probably a
good place to start as the Black Sabbath influence is quite evident and quite likeable for the typical
heavy metal fan. What makes sHEAVY appeal to heavy metal fans is that they manage to escape
some of the trappings of the stoner genre by creating a more melodic sound.
"The Electric Sleep" was produced by sHEAVY and Don Ellis. The band makes a big deal about
how it recorded the disc in analog, but you'd probably expect that from a stoner rock band anyway.
sHEAVY is Steve Hennessey on vocals, Dan Moore on guitars, Keith Foley on bass, and Ren Squires on drums.
For more information visit the band's official website at http://www.sheavy.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All
rights reserved.
Revised: 16 Dec 2024 12:46:36 -0500
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