Luna Sol – Vita Mors

Look at that young Supafuzz buck!

 

Luna Sol – Vita Mors
Ripple Music – 2024
Rock, Hard, Blues, Stoner, Punk
Rated: *****

Anything Angstrom is always amazing! He’s the A-lister, the string twister and the grooviest dude around. And perhaps not even that well known! But for those of you following the HiVe, you will know we’ve been addicted to Dave Angstrom from the first moment we came in touch with his music.  Which was way back before the little old Stoner HiVe blog came into existence and he was rocking out with Supafuzz. Since that time he’s been involved with many great projects and bands. And before Supafuzz there was more as well. And all of it is worth checking out. Even though you probably already know Hermano of course and I hope you know Asylum On The Hill. But we’re here to talk about his latest band Luna Sol that released it’s debut Blood Moon in 2015 and following Below The Deep in 2019. Both great hard rock and stoner rock records that bring forth all that Angstrom goodness. And that project has now given us their third album Vita Mors. Which in fact seems to harken back more to one of his first bands called Black Cat Bone than ever before. And it is out today! 

 

And mentioned just now, it harkens back more to their early days and the blues roots that inspired it all than we can possible express. The Luna Sol three branded their style as High Mountain Stoner Rock and there’s definitely stonerrock in there, and hardrock and classic rock and punk. But the overarching theme is always the blues. Kicking it off with Black Cat Callin’, it’s got that early ZZ Top, swinging blues groove, that kick and punch stuff. Guitar wailing, bass thumping and the signature Angstrom soaring vocals. It’s the best introduction this album could wish for, cause it condenses all that will come in one fell swoop! Introduction is a fun skit introducing the band to an empty bar, vocalized by Dave’s niece. Continuing on with Evil (Is On The Rise), majestic bass work, sublime drums and a guitar that has the track walking across a mountain range and into your heart immediately. Ever appearing like the reluctant vocalist, his voice on Bottom once again take center stage and shines, excelling in producing those catch phrases and certain words that make his voice’s character shine through. You will hear them throughout the Dave Angstrom discography, and whenever he uses words like Mojo, Doctor, Mountain, he’s got you cornered and you cannot help but submit. Leaf Hound’s Freelance Fiend is up next, and the ‘Brother John’ bassline is getting a life of its own on this rendition. And Angstrom’s vocals seem to get even better, digging up all the grit and spit, before letting his guitar do the talking. Emotionally biting Head In A Hole, with stories of betrayal, beautiful female background vocals and pristine instrumentation, with end dying away in a bit of a feedback wail. Another cover song comes next, Mountain’s Never In My Life, and yet another righteous rendition. After which we head over into more desert punk grooviness, yes, with Low ‘n Easy we enter Brant Bjork territory. That bass, those drums, the laidback, natural and flowing, groove. It centers the album, turns all that blues you heard before into even more of a necessary pulse. Blues, it’s always there, but used as an ode to good times, to fun, to musicianship and exploring those roots of yore. The fifteen songs exhuming soul at all times, I’ll Be Your One takes soulful, warm and radiancy up a notch. The guitar solo touching the heavens as the layered vocals come in again. Stunning. Noising and reverberating in, with an open can of whatever the guys were guzzling, is another standout track called Surrounded By Thieves. Playing example once again to what his voice does best and that guitar layering: Wowzah! And yes, those choppy drums, that crash and cymbal work, intense! They had fun these guys! It's obvious on many tracks. You could hear it there and you can hear it again when No Substitutions starts. Which is a builder, a stutter touched hard rocker, that feels like you were present at the recording. And together with Watch Our Skeletons Die and You Better Get Runnin’ they offer three steady closers, with fun and laughter. Before we get to the Outro (Thank You), vocalized by two of Dave’s grandchildren. The old secret song is dusted off by Time Moves On (With Space), for you have to enjoy seventeen minutes of silence before you get to the semi-acoustic, emotionally charged, contemplative and rustic, fireplace rocker. Wonderfully punctuated by a chorus of many voices and luscious keys work. And that concludes Vita Mors, another stunning addition to the Dave Angstrom discography. Luna Sol’s new incarnation featuring Zeth Pedulla on drums and Doug Tackett on bass brings you all the good and honest fun of blues roots explored. And as usual, there are many guest stars and family members adding their breath, sweat and love to, Vita Mors this wonderful heartfelt album…  

(Written by JK)

Listen to the three singles immediately, and be ready for the rest later today!!



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Luna Sol' Blood Moon came in 4th on the Stoner HiVe top 20 Countdonwn of 2015

Luna Sol - Blood Moon - Review

Luna Sol's 2013 Demo

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