Tentacula - Estrella Destruida

 

 

Tentacula - Estrella Destruida
StoneFree Records - March 2022
Doom, psych, garage rock, surf rock
Rated: ****

One of my first Stoner HiVe reviews was Austrian crew Tentacula's stellar debut effort, and I would be remiss to not also call some well-deserved attention to their sophomore album "Estrella Destruida", out this past March. The band's fuzzy grooves and surf rock nuances carry over into their latest, but to a lesser extent as the band dive into a darker, heavier, occult-tinged sound. The shift in vibe is immediately present in opener "Shadows", which kicks off with a ringing guitar lick and an avalanche of crunchy distortion, haunting and heavy. Highlight track "Garaje" then shifts the record into high gear, with bouncing riffs as scuzzy as can be while maintaining surf rock stylings and energy. Vocalist Penny Slick Perry's husky, charismatic tones growl and soar amid the madness, dripping with attitude and bringing the tune to another level of kickassery. The story of "Estrella Destruida" isn't all rock 'n roll attack, however, as Tentacula explore a range of atmospheres and sounds across the remaining tracks. Standouts "Trip Patterns" and "Warning Signs" bring beautifully spare guitar plucking and patient kitwork, while "Birds Whispering" and "No Place For Ponies" further toy with surf tendencies, twisting Dick Dale's vision into something threatening and raw. "Estrella Destruida" is a sophomore effort of a special band who aren't content to sit still, but rather grow and deepen their sound, for which the heavy underground can count itself lucky.

(Written by Kyle SB / Shastabeast)

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