ALBUM REVIEW: Vertigo – Jess And The Ancient Ones
Where the conversation about occult rock is, so is the name of Savonian band JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES. Despite the style of music being noted for twin guitars and organ-led grooves, the band have made an established name for themselves by doing it in a fashion that sounds as though it is straight out of the late sixties. Their previous album, The Horse & Other Weird Tales, received high praise and quickly became a fan staple in their catalogue. Now they’re back with, Vertigo, the self-proclaimed ‘brother’ to its predecessor.
Opening the album, Burning Of The Velvet Fires instantly flags what the band mentioned in that Vertigo feels relative to The Horse & Other Weird Tales. It’s tinged with a hint of nostalgia of what they served us four years ago, riffs and organ playing offering exciting rhythmic layers for Jess‘ voice to intoxicate listeners.
That vibe follows suit throughout the album, except on a deeper and darker note compared to what we’ve been used to hearing from them. Whilst the organ is still a prominent feature, the way Jess works with the doom-laden undertones heard in tracks such as What’s On Your Mind, it brings that eerie-esque feeling to the forefront of their overall sound.
A similar effect is heard in one the bands previously released singles, Love Zombi. There are notes that surround the song in a way that would be well-suited to a horror film from the 70s/80s. This is where, once again, the organ is noticed as a dominate characteristic in the music, and it adds layers that make up this relation in an effortless way. If anything, bringing the organ to the front of attention every once in a while has made the songs feel slightly more impactful as opposed to on previous albums where sometimes it outweighed everything else.
Aforementioned, Jess‘ vocals have a gift of enticing listeners in, and whether or not it’s because the previously more dominant sounds have scaled back slightly, she’s really being given her chance to take charge. Her voice, whilst distinct and instantly recognisable, has a certain strength on Vertigo which becomes more demanding to be heard as the album progresses forward. By closing track, Strange Earth Illusion, you’re completely lost to her.
Of course, Jess‘ vocals aren’t the only thing that you’ve fallen for by the finale. It’s the transitions from stunning blues melodies to once again riffs that are tainted with thick doom tones. Despite its 11+ minute length, the way it has been produced and fitted together, leaves no room for boredom, only curiosity as to where the next turn is. Between the powerhouse vocals of Jess and the sounds that create eerie chills, this is an epic way to end the journey in which Vertigo has taken us.
Vertigo is JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES at their finest. The band have offered us both their light and darker side, and whilst their sound is similar, how they have set their overall mode and tone is impressive. It’s reminiscent of its predecessor, as the band stated prior to its release, its like its ‘brother’, and whilst it very clearly is, it’s more The Horse & Other Weird Tales evil twin. The band have always had a fresh feeling, despite taking influence from decades ago, and Vertigo has, yet again, just that. Occult rock was born for bands like JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES.
Rating: 8/10
Vertigo is out now via Svart Records.
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