| CD REVIEW Hills |
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Band : Hills Hills are from Gothenburg/Sweden. They started out loosely around 2006/07 and it took some time to find their own sound. The core consists of three members, currently Hanna (drums), Kalle (bass, guitar, organ) and Pelle (guitar). It sometimes differs live, but very seldom with more than 4 musicians. In 2009 the band released an eponymous debut on Intergalactic Tactics Records with a limited edition of 300 items. This album got released by Sulatron Records. plus two previously unreleased track.. This is the second release from Hills and as I reviewed their previous album (Hills-Sulatron Records), I was more than willing to do this one as well. On this album, released by Transubstans, the band continues the path set out in their previous release, but on this extended journey they appear to bring more experience and better craftsmanship. All tracks have smart guitar lines, nice drums and spaced-out vocals. Catchy, recognizable and very original - they have managed to create a very special sound of their own The first track “Rise again” seems to burst off the CD. It immediately makes me move to the beat of the rhythm. The oriental souding guitars and whipping drums on “Bring me sand” convey such an Rik De Sadeleers-enthusiasm that it almost impossible not to actively take part in it. “Vessel” brings out the spacerocking edge of the band with the band moving towards a Spacemen 3 meets Hawkwind.. The title track “Master sleeps” is kraut, almost Can- flavour and features an effective dreamy “Set the controls for the heart of the sun” vocalmantra. “Death shall come” rounds of the album and again shows a different side to the band. It has a brilliantly controlled slow and ominous build up, although surprisingly doesn’t explode into life as I expected it to, with the band keeping a tight reign on things throughout. Cosmicmasseur. |