Title: Ancient Astronauts
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: 14th April 2014
Reviewed By: Ben Chapman
Glaswegian three piece Holy Mountain release Ancient Astronauts, a record that's hard-hitting from the outset, full of powerful no-nonsense riffs wedged together with a heavy rhythm section and progressive song structuring.
On LV-2666 the band assembles itself in waves of beefy distortion with a hammering two-note riff that adds another guitar harmony on each repetition: then it’s into some fast and upbeat garage rock, heavy with a psychedelic edge. The track seamlessly moves into Luffwizard for some jazzy chords and Hendrix-toned noodling.
It’s all very jam-orientated, but thankfully doesn't hang around too long to become boring, yet there’s always the strong beat, the crashing theme that cuts between the riffing and building up of harmonies, making the first few tracks seem like a cohesive effort. It's not until the punk rock blast beats of fourth track Ancient Astronauts that a proper break between the songs is noticed. The murmuring vocals are too much of a quiet, intermittent, and droning incoherence to have prominence but the style that Holy Mountain have gone for seems to favour this.
Star Kings initially seems trying at times, the first moment on the record where things begin to feel a bit samey, but there are enough interruptions from scale smashing guitar melodies to keep it going. The tune recovers fully as it breaks down into a swingy strut before ending in a perfectly cheesy, heavily appropriate guitar run that personifies the band’s pleasant classic rock influences.
In Tokyo the bass' sliding backbone helps the groove along. The vocals give the track an otherworldly but also down to earth feel, the dooming tone a tongue in cheek poke at hair metal, the condensed space-rock style a comfortable but enthusing recap of hard and heavy old school rock.
Hollow Hill, the eight minute climax of the album, is most notable for its jazzy sustained crunch of chords that ring through the teeth. It’s atmospheric stuff: the pauses and crashes of rhythm set out a grand scale to the tune; the filtered vocals are heard at their most foreboding; yet the groove is always lurking in the texture, ready to bop out in miniature solos, theatrical drum fills, or sweet swung basslines. The album fools the listener, ending for a minute or so, then the song kicks back in stronger than ever.
Holy Mountain have a made a record that’s accessible but indulgent. It’s clear that the band doesn’t take itself too seriously yet still displays serious musicianship. Ancient Astronauts stands out with rock attitude without the posturing, proving itself well worth a listen in a wide range of situations.
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