ALBUM REVIEW: Acid Communion – Bone Church

New Haven stoner metal band BONE CHURCH, have released their new album, Acid Communion, which tells the story of the inhabitants of a village overrun by witchcraft and evil. This proto-metal five piece have incorporated elements of North American folklore into heavy rock and roll resulting in a truly immersive experience.

Opening the album is Heavy Heaven, starting off with a slow and teasing mix of guitar, bass and drums and then transitioning into a faster pace and heavier emphasis on riffs. The intro to this track really leaves an impression, being just over a minute of well paired instruments and no vocals in sight. When Jack Rune, the band’s vocalist, comes in, it is really easy to sense the blues influence on his singing style, hitting notes and following patterns you would expect to find on many a blues track. Nearing the end of the song, you are hit with an ear-pleasing guitar solo which will leave a lasting impression.

Witch In The Cellar follows suit with its similar well mixed riffs and drum beats, but this time they seem to create much more of an impact. The lyrics throughout all the songs mention witches and evil cults, which paired with the blues style vocals creates a really interesting sound which almost juxtaposes itself. It is clear that this band’s strong points are the riffs and slow hard hitting drum beats. What lacks from a few of the songs on this release though is variation. Throughout the tracks a lot of the same conventions are used making them seem similar when played straight after one another. However, the elements in the songs are very strong which results in a well made tune.

The title track of the album, Acid Communion, seems to sport one of the heavier beats in the release, relying less on slow paced rhythms. The snappy melodies and riffs contribute to a memorable and well made track, as you would hope for any title track. The songs flow well together making the listening experience enjoyable, and the mix of the album has been completed to a good standard.

Overall, Acid Communion is enjoyable, with it mixing elements of doom and stoner metal with the classic blues sound, as well as the interesting topic the release is based around. Whilst at some points, the record is hard to distinguish one track from the next, yet they are all very good songs making this a solid new entry from BONE CHURCH.

Rating: 8/10

Acid Communion is out now via Ripple Music.

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