A week goes by and there's another release from Ripple music with an album cover showcasing a six armed woman (see also Devil to Pay's A Bend through Space and Time) and this ones got a snake!
San Jose's Zed follow up to 2013's self released Desperation Blues has arrived. Trouble in Eden is their 3rd release and its a killer.
'Royale' opens the record with a weighty riff and heavy drum beat, rooted in the very best of heavy Rock 'n' Roll's heritage. The pace and style is maintained with 'Save You From Yourself' and 'The Only True Thing' both showing confidence and skill instrumentally, and vocally. Things slow down and get heavier with 'Today not Tomorrow' and demonstrate splashes of 70's rock, within its contemporary construction. 'Blood of the Fallen' shows off a brilliant stoner groove, whilst still going hard on the guitars and solos. 'High Indeed' builds on that formula and exhibits some of the best drum work on the record. Standout track 'So Low' follows, taking in influences from the 70's to now, but forging something individual as the track moves towards its crashing conclusion. The album finishes with the mighty stomp of 'The Mountain' weighing in at 7 minutes; its a colossal monster that one can imagine slays the audience when played live.
Ive been lucky enough to live with this record for a few weeks, and the more I've played it the better its been. 2016 has been an interesting year within Psych-rock/Stoner/Desert/Space whatever scene; there's an emergence of artists that I'd love to see break out of where they are now and gain more worldwide exposure; Zed are one of those bands.
As with pretty much all of label Ripple Musics current output, this is a band that deserve a wider audience and Trouble in Eden offers the band an excellent chance to breakout and grab some well earned attention; this record is great heavy stoner rock music played with confidence, by a band that are getting bigger and better. Absolutely recommended.
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