Crank this to 10.5 of 11 - Editors' Pick
Released: 2020
Genre: Stoner Doom
Sounds Like: Solace, Down, Red Scalp
Soak in the vitamin D and let the sonic wonder of Sun Crow penetrate your skin. The Seattle Washington natives' debut Quest for Oblivion masterfully crafts an engrossing doomscape that will have you sweating from their passionate fuzz. The album hits so many intangibles within the stoner doom genre, the richest of which is the authenticity and patience that Sun Crow displays.
Vocalist Charles Wilson is exceptional at his craft, whereby the listener is enticed with distant rays of light on the opening track and his chords absolutely build to extraordinary heights. Its refreshing to see a band member exclusively devoted to the task of vocals. His range will floor you throughout this album. So striking is the contrast throughout the lengthy tracks, you will find yourself pausing and looking around your space. In steady stride Nechanicky is fucking brilliant with his fretwork prowess from start to finish complimented so importantly by the brooding bass backdrop of Brian Steel. We hear splashes of many different influences yet projected in a light so refreshing and new.
Track Listing:
1. Collapse (7:02)
2. Black It Out (10:44)
3. End Over End (10:31)
4. Fell Across the Sky (11:10)
5. Fear (5:57)
6. Nothing Behind (4:57)
7. Hypersonic (9:05)
8. Titans (11:00)
Standout Track:
We cannot pinpoint another album that contains such a steady build and continual intrigue. Rightfully so, we hit the pinnacle at ‘Titans’ an 11 minute epic track. Wait until you hear the last fucking minute of this track. Words cannot do justice for the jolt of fuzz and eargasm that awaits.
Adult Beverage Paring :
Quest for Oblivion is only complimented with one of our favorite crafted double IPAs from the hills of Woburn Massachusetts. Welcome, Doomsauce, a Black Double IPA, at 7.8% ABV. Doomsauce has notes of soft, tropical fruits and is complimented with a velvety, smooth dark finish. The malts used are Midnight Wheat and Blackprinz. Midnight Wheat is the smoothest black malt available, because you get a slightly sweet, slightly roasty, incredibly clean finish versus any bitter, astringent, or dry flavors.With the onslaught of black malts, there is not a hint of any bitter or astringent tastes.
ROTATION RECAP:
Song Structure
10.7 out of 11
Weight of the Heavy
10.8 out of 11
Vocal Performance
10.9 out of 11
Fretwork Prowess
10.8 out of 11
Percussion Prowess
10.7 out of 11
Overall Album Flow
10.8 out of 11
Contrast
10.7 out of 11
Album Cover Aesthetics
10.5 out of 11
Production Value
10.8 out of 11
Authenticity
10.9 out of 11
Band Members:
Guitars - Ben Nechanicky
Bass - Brian Steel
Drums - Keith Hastreiter
Vocals - Charles Wilson
Final Thoughts:
Sun Crow have set the bar for American bands as Quest for Oblivion hits incredible heights with its meticulous craftsmanship. We hope this creates a sense of pride and patriotism that perhaps will spark a new advent of European-like doom fervor. This may sound lofty, we know. We are passionate about the heavy, and ok perhaps over the top passionate, but do not underplay what Sun Crow has done on this album. It is something special that is a must for any music lover of any genre. Soak it in and give your collection a needed boost.