Monday 3 September 2012

Earthride - 'Earthride' EP Reissue (Review)

 By: John Slaymaker

Album Type: EP
Date Released: May 2012
Label: Totem Cat Records




Kyle Van Stanberg's guitar tone is simply to die for; I think he drill's holes in his valves and fills them with cream. :) With his sweet wah heavy solo's sweeping effortlessly in and out of these big chunky fat riffs. Dave's lyrics tackle drug crazed demons that invade your home and mind, even Ozzy would pretend he's lost his keys.  Did I mention that Earthride's overall sound is something akin to maybe Motorhead?  If they themselves decided to take the dark path of doom.


‘Earthride’ CD track Listing

1). Earthride 6:27
2). Black 5:09
3). Enter Zarfreyals 4:03
4). Weak End 7:46
5). Fighting Devils Inside You (Live) 4:54
6). Hacksaw Eyeball (Live) 5:22
7). For Mere Remains (Live) 5:57


Earthride is:

Dave Sherman | vocals
Kyle Van Stanberg | guitar
Josh Hart | bass 
Eric Little | drums.

The Review

Earthride play fuzz heavy, groove laden down tuned doom. With vocals that make Lee Marvin sound like one of the Tweenies. Formed in 2000 just before Spirit Caravan's sad departure from the doom/ stoner scene (with whom Dave played Bass).  The band recorded this E.P. and released it on their own 'Earthbrain' label, the same year. Dave is quoted on the sleeve notes telling us he was selling this E.P. on the road whilst playing the last Spirit Caravan gigs.

Here we go, scream if you wanna go faster, Earthride take us straight into the title track with a gravelling, grooving riff that won’t let up, or let you off for that matter. This E.P. starts off at a mighty thundering pace, with Dave's gravelly vocal accompanying a tight fat low ended rhythm section. This song makes me want to straddle a hog and thunder down a highway, shades on, helmet off.  Black’ starts off with another nice repetitive riff at about the right bpm for some morning glory. The solo comes in halfway through, nice and polite, only to come back a bit later on with even more points to make. ‘Enter Jacfreyals’ is the shortest song on the E.P. at around four minutes. Dave takes a rest and lets the band happily jam some nice chubby licks. ‘Weak End’, is the most doomed song on this E.P., riffing bleakness out of the speakers until Kyle comes in with a solo that makes it all a bit demulcent.

Kyle Van Stanberg's guitar tone is simply to die for; I think he drill's holes in his valves and fills them with cream. :) With his sweet wah heavy solo's sweeping effortlessly in and out of these big chunky fat riffs. Dave's lyrics tackle drug crazed demons that invade your home and mind, even Ozzy would pretend he's lost his keys.  Did I mention that Earthride's overall sound is something akin to maybe Motorhead?  If they themselves decided to take the dark path of doom.

The original four tracks are re-released with three quite awesome live tracks, one song from each of their full lengths. The live tracks mix well with the studio tracks, with good production and mastering.  This E.P. is out now on Totem Cat Records.  I leave you with word from Dave Sherman "Fighting the Devils Inside You" and "We're only here because of Black Sabbath".  Never a truer work spoken!



  
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