glórach - 2026

 

 

glórach - 2026 
Self-released - 2026 
Doom, Stoner 
Rated: ****½ 

In 2024 glórach from Tulsa, Oklahoma first unleashed their well-crafted instrumental stoner/doom metal upon the world by ways of 'Bong Rip'. A great listen already, I was eager to hear what they would come up with on their sophomore release '2026'. And boy, do they deliver! Their low-end rumble with infectious grooves and lots of variation inside the lengthy tracks and more than enough (but not so much as to hamper the flow) between them, got even lower, their grooves even heavier and the bong is working extra hours to keep the chugging diesel fumes rolling. '421', obviously referring to an out of this world, superlative way of fulfilling the act of smoking cannabis, taking it a notch up from middle of the road 420. The theme keeps going with the epic 'Gravity Bong', the highlight of this release, clocking in at double unlucky #13 (13:13 minutes that is), even using some monotonous, stretched-out keys (at least it appears to be, although it's not mentioned on their Bandcamp page) near the end to create some kind of eerie atmosphere, as well as an almost casual spoken word sample somewhere in the middle that adds an extra dimension to the already boundary exploring trance-like state they put you in. The other two pieces, 'Electric Goat' and the aptly titled closer 'Stoned Blues' (a blues tune with killer lead guitar), are equally addictive and round off this splendid release that reminds me a bit of Karma to Burn at times, even though the music is way different and much slower, but it has got that same kind of hypnotizing effect and the guitar sound also brings to mind the masters of instrumental stoner rock. It makes '2026' a must hear album, not only for lovers of instrumental stoner and doom, but for all those who sold their souls to the ruler of the heavy underground. So, get your grooves out and start nodding your to head shapeshifting machine that is glórach. And while you're at it, don't forget to look at the stunning artwork, that - like on their debut - is being made by Samuel Mills (aka DEFAME).

(Written by Ronny Dijksterhuis)

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