Artist.......: ZOE
Album........: Raise the veil
Label........: n/a
Genre........: Metal
Catnr........: GOUDJ045
Source.......: CD (LP)
Rip.date.....: 2015-03-23
Str.date.....: 2014-00-00
Quality......: 271kbps/44.1kHz/Joint Stereo
Url..........: http://zoestonerrock.bandcamp.com/
track title time
1. Kellar's song 0:55
2. Don't hold my gaze 4:28
3. Slam dance union 4:13
4. Dusty truck 3:23
5. Astral projection 4:45
6. Raise the veil 3:41
7. Roller coaster blues 5:39
8. The wolf 3:38
9. Workie of the dispair 4:32
10. Eternal boy 2:57
11. Time is not on my side 4:39
Runtime 42:50
Size 84.04
Release Notes:
With some rather cool artwork, Zoe impress on the packaging front right away and
a little dig into the band's bandcamp page reveals that they have a long history
that helps to explain the confidence that the album, "raise the veil", exudes.
Formed all the way back in the 90s in Northern France, Zoe have released just
two albums prior to "raise the veil", presumably favouring quality over quantity
and extensive bouts of touring as an antidote to ennui. Whilst "Make it burning"
and "dirty little sister" were a mere three years apart, "raise the veil" took
some time to reach the public, but the good news is that, if you're a fan, the
wait was worth it whilst if you are coming to this band for the first time
you'll not be disappointed.
"Raise the veil" opens with a short, almost progressive introduction named
"Kellar's song" which pairs a mournful mellotron with arcing feedback before
segueing into the sweet, flanged riff of "don't hold my gaze", a song that sits
comfortably between the pulsing rock of Monster Magnet and the dry-as-a-bone
riffing of QOTSA. It's clear from the off that Zoe have no interest in
reinventing the wheel: fans of stoner will recognise the tropes the band employ
here from the nicotine and tar-worn vocals to the taut riffs and mid-tempo
percussion, but Zoe play with an unbridled energy and enthusiasm that is hard to
ignore and with few bands currently tackling this style of music their adherence
to the stoner sound is most welcome indeed. "Slam dance union" sees the band
pairing "songs for the deaf"-era QOTSA with a harder edge, the riffs diamond
sharp and the chorus set to stun whilst "dusty truck" packs a seriously hefty
punch, the band cutting loose with a vicious energy that can't help but quicken
the pulse. Taking a moment to offer a breather, "Astral projection" is a
psychedelic stomp with a deep, dark groove,that recalls, of all things, Marilyn
Manson's "tourniquet". It has a notably different feel to the other tracks on
offer here and, as a result, stands out from the pack as the album's highlight.
The album's title track is another track that builds off the back of a massive,
chrome-plated riff that roars like a newly refurbished Harley Davidson ad which
sees the band straining at the heavy rock leash, with pounding drums and a sense
of urgency that is impossible to ignore. Taking its time to build up a head of
steam, "Roller coaster blues" is a stunning, mid-tempo beast that lumbers along
with considerable weight and a suitably sleazy atmosphere. In contrast, the
aptly titled "The wolf" comes storming out with blood in its nostrils and a
hunter's aspect. "Workie of the despair" has a vicious, sludgy feel to it with
its heavy central riff and Garcia-infused vocal and then we're into the weird
sleazy half-light of "eternal boy", a track that sounds like Marilyn Manson
playing Monster Magnet covers unplugged. The album draws to a close with "time
is not on my side", a full-on riff fest that once again sets the heart racing
with its simple, yet potent, mix of gnarled vocals, crunchy riffs and crushing
percussion. It leaves the album on a high and you'll undoubtedly want to be
spinning it again.
Overall Zoe have honed in on those aspects of the stoner rock scene that appeal
to them the most and refined them. There is little here that can't be found
amidst the likes of the Kyuss / QOTSA / Slo burn / Monster Magnet back
catalogue, but Zoe have arguably cherry-picked the best elements of each of
these and condensed them into this powerful release. Certainly the band clearly
get a kick out of what they're playing and there's a vitality to the recording
that is impossible to overlook. If you have a hankering for all things stoner,
then, you could do a lot worse than track down this impressive third album with
its worthwhile, if somewhat familiar, sound. Hugely enjoyable, "Raise the veil"
is a recommended release that has plenty to offer stoner fans new and old.
RLS-Crc: 4B524B32:C24BFD92EA47