ACRIMONY „“Bong On-Live Long!””

Music: Stoner/Doom
Country: United Kingdom
www.myspace.com/leavesofmellowgrace
Cool Songs: The Bud Song, Tumuli, 100 New Gods, Fire-Dance

Japan’s Leaf Hound Records never fails in reissuing some of stoner/doom’s best albums. Such is the case with ACRIMONY, who proved to be highly influential in the United Kingdom scene. After the group’s split in the early part of this decade, members joined the ranks of THE DUKES OF NOTHING, IRON MONKEY, and BLACK EYE RIOT.

Although the group never released an album called “Bong On-Live Long!,” all the songs are taken from prior recordings. “Bong On…” features songs taken from the “The Acid Elephant” E.P., “Dark Passages Vol. II,” “X,” and the group’s split album with CHURCH OF MISERY.

ACRIMONY was a classic band due their extraordinary grasp of all the elements needed to make a great stoner/doom album. Here you’ll find the spacey psychedelic effects first produced by the likes of HAWKWIND and early MONSTER MAGNET, the pounding heaviness of SLEEP, and the low frequencies and mellow vocals associated with KYUSS. Each of these techniques are blended together to create a most potent strand of doom rock. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

There really aren’t any bad songs on “Bong On”, but there are some stand-out tracks. One such track is “The Bud Song” (you don’t have to look below the surface to discover the idea of this song). This track begins with a Middle Eastern melody, probably to entice the goddess Shiva. From out of nowhere, the music hits a heavy note, like your mind finally feeling the effects of killer creeper bud. The loudness is quelled before picking up the pace again. This heaviness remains while the tempo picks up during the chorus. Dorian Walters’ vocals echo with hallucinogenic gusto. The song climatically finishes with this fast part combined with the Middle Eastern melody from the beginning and soaring Wa wa pedal effects, producing a thick haze of green atmosphere.

Another note worthy song is “Fire-Dance (live from the planet Urbalaboom).” This track is also full of changes and mind-altering effects. The verse rhythm is one of the heaviest, catchiest riffs on the entire album. The frequencies are low and dirty like KYUSS and each band member abuses his instrument, which combined with more pedal effects leads, really brings to mind SLEEP. During effects-laden solo jams, instead of merely providing a low end, Mead’s bass is so loud it creates another dimension to the upfront groove. In a repeat of “The Bud Song”, Walter’s vocals echo psychedelically. The myriad instrumentation sonically constructs sweeping, electric sound scapes in the same manner as MONSTER MAGNET’s “Tab” album and HAWKWIND.

Those on the look out for massive slabs of doom rock laced with bong-sized hits of the psychedelic, look no further than ACRIMONY. “Bong On-Live Long!” is without a doubt a landmark album for the stoner/doom scene! So put down your pizza, turn off the TV, brush the shake off your shirt and check out some ACRIMONY.

note: 9.5/10

Tracklist

1. Spaced Cat #7 (hammond moon-bong mix)
2. The Inn
3. The Bud Song
4. Fire-Dance (live from the planet Urbalaboom)
5. Earthchild Inferno
6. O Baby
7. Tumuli
8. Satellite 19
9. In Other Wor(l)ds
10 100 New Gods
11. Timebomb
Total Playing Time: 58:40

Line-up

Paul Bidmead: Bass
Lee Davies: Guitar
Darren Ivey: Drums
Stuart O´Hara: Guitar
Dorian Walters: Vocals