Spiral Shades – Hypnosis Sessions

Spiral Shades – Hypnosis Sessions
RidingEasy Records – 2014
Doom, Proto-metal, Heavy Rock
Rated: ****

“Formed by Vennesla, Norway-native Filip Peterson and Mumbai based singer-songwriter Khushal Bhadra Spiral Shades is a metal record unlike any other. As avid fans of obscure ’70s rock, doom and proto-metal, prior to forming Spiral Shades both Peterson and Bhadra relied on YouTube to unearth lost music and showcase their individual talents as musicians. Each would upload their own cover versions of songs they had discovered online but it wasn’t until one evening in the Summer of 2012 that Khushal happened to stumble onto Filip’s channel where he was taken aback by the Norwegian’s choices and impressive guitar playing.” When I read the above band bio, I was curious and slightly afeared as to what awaited my ears. Happily this duo clearly have a love of proto-doom and heavy rock which shines through this album. Let’s get something out of the way first -  Khushai Bhadra sounds very much like a certain John Osbourne. But – these are no Sabbath clones. Without doubt there is an influence that Spiral Shades draw upon but it is a base to which they can build upon with stirrings of blues, stoner, heavy rock, psychedelic atmospheres and some damn fines grooves. Doom has never sounded so uplifting or cheerful! Nodding my head along to the mid-paced songs, I have regressed to teenage years – I want to play this to everyone I know and call them idiots if they do not like it! 

(Written by Tony)

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