The Sciences

Sleep

Third Man, 2018

http://sleep.bandcamp.com

REVIEW BY: Pete Crigler

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 05/28/2018

WOW! On this, the first full album by the reunited stoner metal kings since the 2003 issue of their classic Dopesmoker, Sleep has come back with some of the most uncomprising music I’ve heard in quite some time. But it doesn’t start off very well; the opening track is literally nothing but feedback. Nothing else. That can be very frustrating for someone with a low attention span but it can be said that it’s very stoner metal indeed. However, the riffs on “Marijuanaut’s Theme” are out of this world and really make the song a standout. It’s absolutely astonishing and mind bending how great these riffs are. Clearly this is the band needed to keep this brand of metal alive and well.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

The dynamism of “Sonic Titan” has to be heard to be believed. If Sabbath had maintained riffs like this and played with this intensity after their heyday, they would truly have been the greatest band that ever lived. Metal like this is simply not for everyone, but for those that enjoy the gnarliest vocals and some of the heaviest riffs ever conceived by anyone, ever, than this is the record you have all been waiting for.

Unfortunately, not everything here is a winner, and for those who don’t like their metal excruciatingly long, there are some drawbacks. “Antarcticans Thawed” is way too long and goes on forever at around 14 minutes; it feels like one really needs the patience of a stoner to really sit and listen to the whole damn thing.

All in all, though, this is still one of the most exciting and different records one could listen to all year. Sleep has regained their title as kings of the stoner scene and with this record, it’s clear to see why. This record isn’t for everybody, but for those who like their metal to the heaviest notion possible, then this could be one of their all-time favorites.

Rating: B

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