Crank this to 10 of 11 - Editors' Pick
Released: 2020
Genre: Stoner Rock, Heavy Rock
Sounds Like: The Sword, Kylesa, Demonic Death Judge
Scorched Oak have gone above and beyond on their stellar debut album Withered Earth. The trio hailing from Germany have hit the ground running with a patient and full-bodied heavy album. The riffs are thick and laced with touches of heavy blues coupled by the duel vocals of Linda and Ben. The vocals are one of the main draws to the album as Linda's bluesy tone compliments the sludge onslaught vocals of guitarist Ben. This male/female interaction elevates the band to Kylesa levels, which is fucking impressive for a debut album.
Each track is very full and lengthy. You will encounter many peaks and valleys of heaviness on this record. The quieter moments are just as strong as its heavy counterparts, marking for a very enthralling listen. The music has a heavy and weighty feel in vein of bands like Wo Fat and early Sword. It's an album that needs to be listened to in its entirety to appreciate the layers and patience put in. Withered Earth doesn't stick to one particular metal genre, it has such a broad range that will attract many fans of heavy rock.
Track Listing:
1. Mountain 06:21
2. Swamp 07:45
3. Forest 09:37
4. Tide 10:29
5. Desert 14:26
Standout Track(s):
If we must pick a track, we will start with "Forest". This tune begins with a quite dirty blues note, than 2:00 in it takes off. The rhythm here is very smooth and heavy with trippy vocals that have the slightest echo. The bass breakdown is tremendous and when Linda's vocals creep in, it's stoner rock heaven.
Adult Beverage Pairing:
We need something rich with flavors and layered like Withered Earth. We recommend Galactic Cowboy Nitro by Colorado's Let Hand Brewery. This 10.6% American Imperial Stout hits with bittersweet chocolate and black coffee, yet not overdone. Like Withered Earth, you must experience to appreciate.
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ROTATION RECAP:
Captivation and Variety
10 out of 11
Vocal Performance
9.7 out of 11
Weight of the Heavy
9.6 out of 11
Fretwork Prowess
9.6 out of 11
Overall Album Flow
10 out of 11
Contrast
10.1 out of 11
Album Cover Aesthetics
10.2 out of 11
Production Value
10 out of 11
Final Thoughts:
Withered Earth is loaded with heavy cosmic jams and bluesy stoner riffs that go one for days, it's a thing of beauty. Do yourself a favor and just get this album.