The DevilsHorns

The 6^th album by Norwegian stoner/doom outfit Kal-El has, what can only be described as, a subtle hint of magnificence about it. Alright, so perhaps Astral Voyager Vol.1 can also be described in numerous other ways, but it will be variations of magnificent or great, or awesome. All superlatives and all adjectives that can be used for this album.

As the albums name would suggest, there will hopefully be a volume 2 for this album, as the 6 track, 42 minute long album is a tour-de-force. Opening with ‘Astral Voyager’, we are met with a glorious guitar tone from the outset, with the riffs containing a groove that just bleeds into your heart. The dreamlike vocals help lend a psychedelic feeling to the track that sleeks across the album as a hole. It is an incredibly competent start.

It is the big riff of ‘B.T.D.S.C’ that really stretches the neck. Excellent fuzz-laden riffs are reminiscent of the might Kyuss on occasion, and once again, the vocals from Captain are nothing short of outstanding. Then we get hit with a solo that encouraged me to bring out my trusty air-guitar as I widdled along with unhinged precision, deep diving into the track.

Cleaner’ or ‘Dilithium’ where the riffs go on for days and days, as Captain delivers a prime Ozzy style vocal (Not to be confused with latter day Ozzy).

Astral Voyager Vol.1 is a consistently strong album. It varies its pace. Each track battles with the others to be the best on the album, with no one track standing out. It has been a long time since an album has landed with me in such a way that befuddles my brain as I try to disseminate the tracks and identify the best moment.

If Vol.1 is a precursor to the next stage, I for one cannot wait to hear it. If it is half as good as this, you may have a new favourite Stoner rock band.

Astral Voyager Vol.1 is outstanding.

http://www.kal-el.no/

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