What?: 3rd album from the acoustic guitar duo. Each track is apparently inspired by artists that influenced the band.
Why?: I heard the band's cover of Metallica's "Orion" and was impressed (look it up). I'm a big fan of acoustic guitars used in a heavy riffing manner.
Tell me more!: Another one of those albums I've listened to numerous times, and while I recognise the riffs on each listen, I don't retain them.
Entirely instrumental, mostly two acoustic guitars, including the percussion, it's all very competently played, but the lack of variety drags. Frequently the songs are one or two riffs played over and over...
Throughout the album the band frequently uses little production tricks to try to break the songs up (vinyl noise, tape/mono), perhaps an admission the songs require a little more interest?
My favourite song on each listen is always "Atman" which I have now discovered is inspired by Dimebag Darrell, Pantera's guitarist. The super fast riff and excellent guitar solo manage to keep my head bopping, despite the almost six minute length of the riff-fest.
Ultimately there is nothing wrong with this album, it's just that Bourke Street mall "flamenco" duos were a dime-a-dozen in the early '00s and these guys, while an excellent and more rock influenced version of those bands, aren't bringing enough extra to the table to keep me interested, at least not in recorded form. I strongly suspect they would be excellent to watch live.
3/10
