Lonely Kamel: Blues for the Dead (2010)

Norwegian quartet LONELY KAMEL was formed back in 2005 if my sources are correct, and seek to blend the members love and appreciation for 70's hard rock, blues, psychedelic rock and doom metal. So far this has resulted in two full length efforts. "Blues for the Dead" is the most recent of these, and was released by Swedish label Transubstans Records in October 2010.

Musically we're dealing with a band exploring a territory not too many have ventured into prior to them. I could imagine that Robin Trower might have come up with similar material back in his heyday. If heavily on acid that is. And while covering Black Sabbath. The references to the latter are numerous, the bass guitar arguably the most constant and consistent of these. Along with the steady drums this crafts a heavy hitting, solid foundation for the proceedings, be it melodic, slow blues passages with fragile guitar notes harmonically resonating in the archetypical melancholy manner of that genre or the opposite part of this band's stylistic expression: Massive, dark, twisted and distorted riffs in the shape of drawn out notes resonating dark and twisted or surging patterns of the kind doom metal bands typically enjoy to torture out of their instruments.

Most times Lonely Kamel explores the middle ground between the extremes of blues and metal though, the guitar typically taking on a defined hard rock rather than metal type delivery and frequently utilized to provide the final ingredient to this mix, namely psychedelic textures. These guys know their heavy psychedelic rock quite nicely thank you, and sneak it in as subtle details or dominating traits. And while not always hitting the mark head on the material is astounding when they manage to get the perfect blend, and in the case of "Blues for the Dead" I'd pull out Stick With Your Plan as a good example of that. I really hope they do too, and that the song in question has a central place in it. Their plan that is.

While placing this band quite nicely into one of the numerous genre boxes many music nerds invent by the truckload is a hard ting to do, I guess stoner rock is the closest match. Arguably. Personally I try to avoid such categorization myself if possible. In this case I'd think that those who enjoy early 70's Black Sabbath, Robin Trower's first solo efforts and in addition find 70's psychedelic rock to be an interesting genre in general should have a field day with this production. And as they are an active live unit, they'll probably be just as enjoyable in that setting as on your home stereo, if not even more so.

Crystal Caravan: Against the Rising Tide (2010)

From their formation back in 2002 Swedish ensemble CRYSTAL CARAVAN have made a good job of perfecting their take on the good old fashioned in your face and at your throat, good old fashioned rock and roll style of music, and when they eventually issued their self-titled debut album in 2009 it made quite an impression.

Follow up effort "Against the Rising Tide" was ready towards the end of October 2010, and doesn't quite manage to reach the same heights as it's predecessors. We're still very much talking about late 60's and early 70's hard rock, with Steppenwolf, The Who and The Doors as likely influences, with something of an emphasis on the first to this time around. Powerful lead vocals John Kay style, staccato dramatic guitar and organ surges and a few nice details topping it all off in the shape of dampened 70's funky guitar licks and sophisticated percussion adding something of a fusion flavour to the proceedings. While most of the tracks are high energy performances through and through the band also find the time to explore slightly more fragile territories in the shape of Apple Hotel, while Focus and to some extent final effort Wrecking Ball feature a darker and slightly more laidback expression that should please fans of Jim Morrison & Co quite nicely. The latter ending on a rather different note however, as the band shift toward a Uriah Heep sounding galloping hard rock escapade in the final two or so minutes of that creation. Perhaps heralding a new stylistic twist to be explored further at a later time? Time will have to tell.

Crystal Caravan comes across as fine purveyors of classic hard rock from the time when this phrase first was coined, and is a band well worth seeking out by those who enjoy acts such as Steppenwolf, The Who and The Doors. In particular by those who have a soft spot for richly arranged varieties of that sound, as we're dealing with a band consisting of seven musicians who all contribute towards the creation of a rich and detailed sound.

My rating: 75/100

Track list:
1. We'll Always Lose
2. Love and Direction
3. Apple Hotel
4. I'm a Stone
5. Focus
6. Blue Blues
7. Take What's Yours
8. Wrecking Ball