Band : Alunah
Album Title : Call Of Avernus
Label : Catacomb Records
Distributor : Catacomb Records
Release Date : 2010
Review : CD

Alunah is probably the best band in UK to which the label psych stoner/doom rock might apply. The tracks on Call of Avernus have the same pounding, heavy (but still very different) sound that some of my favorite obscure bands, Golden Pig Electric Blues Band, Peeping Tom and Acrimony, also had. Sadly, I realize most of you have probably never heard of GPEBB and Peeping Tom & that's too bad because they are/were great bands. The good news is that Alunah appear to be set to take over where these bands left off.

The strongest characteristic of Alunah is the playing of Dave Day. He has ample opportunities to wah wah in a raunchy atmosphere sounding like a motorbike cruising at full speed and he really comes out with excellent crunch riffs and solos. Aside from Day’s extended fuzz riffing, it prominently features the very good lead vocals of Sophie Willett. Most of the songs are given a boost with vocal melodies that are very appropriate for the music. 70’s heavy psych Sabbath-influence is strong, but the band demonstrates to have listened to influential stoner albums of the 90s that is Blues for the red sun (Kyuss), Holy Mountain (Sleep), Time Travelling Blues (Orange Goblin) and In search of… (Fu Manchu).

This is a very good release, bordering on excellent at times, and should be enjoyed by both doom and stoner fans alike. I look forward to their future releases.

90/100

Cosmicmasseur.