ALBUM REVIEW: Two Of Swords – Bentrees
Deep in the heart of the Mediterranean sea lies Sardinia, the island home of Italian heavy psych rockers BENTREES. The band have been relentlessly touring since the release of their emphatic debut album Psychollage back in 2017. Blending a mix of crazy 70s inspired psych with the glorious giant fuzz machine of the late 90s and early 00s, the band are back with their highly anticipated second album, Two Of Swords. With deep, earthy riffs to guide the stories through the psychedelic haze, BENTREES weave references to their homeland and the connection with nature through introspective lyrics. It marks a step up for the band, one that transports you to a world of fuzz and modulation.
The band has created and mastered their own authentic formula for Two Of Swords, moving away partially from the faster stoner elements of Psychollage in favour of bigger doom laden riffs and dreamlike psychedelic movements. The ever shifting dynamic between fuzz and flange effects puts you into a dreamlike trance as the album goes through its motions. With the emphasis being on fuzz soaked, earthen riffs, there is a significant warmth to the album that triggers the chemicals in your mind. Don’t be fooled though, BENTREES know how to bring the thunder too, masterfully working elements together to slowly build tension before a big riff drops in.
Within this doom meets psych combination lie intrinsic rhythms which unlock something primal and uninhibited within their listeners. Given the album’s title, Two Of Swords, there is an implicit duality that reverberates throughout the album. Exploring duality is a time honoured practice within the rock and metal spheres. Ever since Robert Louis Stevenson unleashed his infamous novella the Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde in 1886, the concept has been pushed to the forefront of many a creative mind. As a result, the idea evolved mostly in a straightforward black and white way. BENTREES however have taken it upon themselves to look at the grey area of this topic, opening new paths for musical exploration as the sonic journey inwardly tussles with itself and outwardly explodes into a multitude of colour.
Within this cascading colour whirlwind that emerges in your mind, there is also a growing sense of ambivalence. As each song tells its story, their contours are revealed and the mixed emotions regarding the concept of duality in its various forms are clear to hear. The prime example of the album’s natural flow is Flowing Waters, where gently flowing, atmospheric psychedelia is met with the crashing, frothing waves of hulking doom riffs. Hermit captures the darker side of the album with ominous and suspicious melodies, characteristics that people would label the wanderer and central figure in the song.
The up and down runs that sit over the top of a constant, steady chug in Sunrise And Sunset embody the passing of time in a unique way, as the pace of time becomes frantic and calm throughout the song’s duration. Dust ’n’ Gold closes the album in a manner that is reminiscent of the 70s psychedelic era fused with modern desert rock. The pushed and pulled melody is hypnotic, and sends the album deep into the Sardinian countryside chasing the sunset as all your thoughts slide away with the guitar.
BENTREES have created a hypnotic and insightful album, combining a plethora of new and exciting influences as well as stripping back some of the sound they established on Psychollage. Two Of Swords will no doubt guide you through its sonic landscapes, luring you into a trance where all your cares will simply melt away.
Rating: 7/10
Two Of Swords is set for release on November 19th via Argonauta Records.
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