ALBUM REVIEW: Nemesis Lately – Somnus Throne
“Non-narcotic. Non-addictive. Bring back the f****** Quaaludes!” yells the opening sample of SOMNUS THRONE‘s sophomore record Nemesis Lately. When it comes to their themes and aspirations, their brand of stoner doom/heavy psych draws ample inspiration from the likes of SLEEP, ELECTRIC WIZARD and – of course – BLACK SABBATH. This 40-minute trip is one that invites the listener to tune in, turn up, headbang and space out; a heady cocktail of riffs and fuzz that borders on the hypnotic.
Snake Eyes opens the album with the aforementioned line of the cult classic viral video from Mike Carraciolo, aka The Kid From Brooklyn, before exploding into a gargantuan riff that sounds like it would be as comfortable in a smoke-filled dive bar as it would a stadium. Boasting instant appeal and heaps of groove, this is a rock solid seven minutes of stoner doom; alongside the irresistible guitars and bass, the drums are relatively simple but have a fantastic sense of motion, driving the track ever forward, and the clean vocals give a particular levity to proceedings. What really elevates this opening offering though is one of the best instances of bringing a riff back slower. This isn’t a heavy song in the grand scheme of things, but the structure of the track results in a spectacular sonic journey, and one can only sit back in admiration of one of the catchiest riffs we’ve heard so far this year.
L-Dopatryptamine presents perhaps the biggest dose of psychedelia on Nemesis Lately. It may follow a similar formula to the tracks that precede it but here the band dial the effects all the way up to head spinning, mind melting proportions that make these six and a half minutes feel far shorter than they are. The perpetual movement of the instrumentation and staggering use of channels and layers make time feel like a construct. This is a high you’ll certainly find yourself chasing again.
It could be said that there are moments on this record that don’t stick quite as well, such as Rubber Tramp, which does a lot of what you’ve already heard, just lacking quite the same potent effect. It’s not that it’s a bad song, not at all. It’s more that some of the others are so good that the gulf is hard to ignore. Similarly, Lacquer Bones suffers from being sandwiched between Snake Eyes and L-Dopatryptamine, meaning that you’re either still digesting what you’ve just heard, or having this unfortunate number hypnotised out of your mind. On its own though, it is another great track, just one perhaps best enjoyed separately.
Calm Is The Devil seems at first to be closing the album in markedly low-key fashion; delicate acoustic melodies are plucked and strummed to spellbinding effect, these displaying keen virtuosity from guitarist and vocalist Evan (no last name – essentially stoner doom’s Bono or CHER). Before long though, the track spreads its wings and is soaring back in the realms of big, hazy riffs. Around the midway point, the band reverts back to the gentle nature of those opening minutes, before ending with a flourish that neatly combines their two modes and gives Nemesis Lately a satisfying, wholesome finish.
As intoxicating and addictive as the subject matter itself, SOMNUS THRONE has delivered a storming romp of a record in Nemesis Lately. Laying down a gauntlet of the best factors of stoner doom and heavy psych, and having a whole lot of fun while they do it, these Los Angeles natives are onto something great.
Rating: 8/10
Nemesis Lately is set for release on June 3rd via Heavy Psych Sounds.
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