ALBUM REVIEW: Youth of Dissent – 1000mods

The approach of Greece’s 1000MODS keeps on blossoming on their new full-length release, Youth of Dissent. With 11 songs clocking at 55 minutes, the Greek band goes through many of what have become the group’s trademark elements—delicate melodies, fresh sound, and craftsmanship—while playing toward an extensive ethereal spread than even 2016’s Repeated Exposure To… could give. 1000MODS‘ evolution has been unshakeable from album to album, with perhaps the biggest leap being from the delightful melodies of their 2011’s Super Van Vacation to the second album, 2014’s Vultures.

This tonal offering is nothing new for 1000MODS, and as usual, they bring both intensity and warmth to the guitar and bass that are captivating to the point of mesmerism as the album opener change gears from its beginning spin into a part of the scintillating guitar-led flow as it seeps into the second half. The pause and bounce-back of the parading bass are instantaneous, but Dani G. transcends it with esoteric vocal streaks that join the melodious dip and the result is arresting as Lucid fades to black prior the thunder at the arrival of So Many Days. Dear Herculin kicks off with a quiet swing before it unravels its baying sound over the moderate, distinguished manoeuvre that is spread out. Adroit contours and craftier pace in the riff puts on the appearance and gravity to the verse, but the all-embracing overtone is still subduing as the song leads the way in straightforward craze toward its gulping climax  – Labros G. endorsing some of the extreme metal in the drums – before the similarly structured riff returns at the start of Pearl, and becomes the foundation on which that exploration is constructed.

Youth of Dissent is an exceptional album superbly fusing staggering melodies and meaty and massive stoner/doom riffs. The songs are contagious, captivating and Dani G’s voice is empyrean and spellbinding with every word that comes out of his mouth. This could easily be for many people an entrance to heavier music or the other way around – a change of direction to something lighter. From the complexity of its coats to the shades in how Youth of Dissent is built, 1000MODS’ latest effort is a win in what has become a standard for the Greeks. As they carry on from here the next time around, it may only be another step, but as only an experience act can, 1000MODS are aware of their skills and how to put them to use in manners that are as thrilling as they are characteristic.

Rating: 8/10

Youth of Dissent is out now via Ouga Booga And The Mighty Oug Recordings.

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