The intro track “Be My Guide” immediately grasps your interest no matter what state of mind you may be in. Three fuzzed out guitar chords begin the journey and are met with a wet psychedelic guitar riff under a rhythmic clean bass. The vocals echo so clearly it feels like the whole performance is right there in your living room with you. The song eventually speeds up as the drums pick up the tempo creating an almost running sensation. The song is so flawlessly heavy and constructed that I almost feel guilt in revealing it with you before you have taken the grand pleasure of experiencing it your self.
The second song “Clean White Hands,” begins with a substantial fuzzed out guitar riff with a tone that feels like it can be felt. The bass riff through out the whole song is so simple, but so damn groovy and needed. Once again Mars Red Sky utilize every piece of their gear in the perfect way. It could be very easy to over do the wah wah or fuzz in this song, but this band makes sure that this is not the case.
Song number three called “Seen a Ghost,” is the most bass driven song out of the whole EP. The vocals melody follows each note in the song creating an almost obscure setting. An acoustic guitar enters half way through and sets up the dark mood once again. The song ends like every song on the EP, with a psychedelic jam leading to an outro. I would like to point out that the song changes tempo and time signatures for the outro to work not making it known. There’s something for you musical knowledge buffs.
The last song “Stranger,” is the slowest chord driven song on the EP. It begins with guitar chords moving at a slow but dark pace. The drums come in and echoes through out the foundation of the song. When listening to “Stranger” you get lost in a sense of hopelessness. Being a stranger is something no one wants to be and this song executes that very feeling.
My only conflict with this EP is that it’s only four songs! I want more of their sound. I believe they have more songs in store, but only released four to amp up the anticipation. How these guys are not to well known household name in the doom music world when they produce music like this is simply put, beyond me.
Words: Stephan Boissonneault
Bandcamp