MAMMOTH

To start with ... I dare to claim that no fear of regress is indicated. Which means they do not rehash their former material here. Well, this might be a courageous statement - because I'm only familiar with 'Sleeping In Traffic'. At least this gives me the chance to compare a bit. Reflecting their multiple rock music influences the new album 'Mammoth' provides roundabout fifty-two entertaining BEARDFISH minutes. I smell the orientation to implement heavier and even popular elements - anyhow, this band, powered by allrounder Rikard Sjöblom, is surely unpredictable and will please the fans again.

The album kicks off very promising with The Platform - the song comes lush orchestrated, a powerful start, fantastic guitars implemented. And finally they are surprising with a weird outro. If I should call up one track as BEARDFISH typical I would mention the epic And The Stone Said If I Could Speak - they are focussed on mellotron and symphonic hammond organ throughout, ELP and Kiing Crimson partially come into my mind. A song rich of diversity, busy and relaxed parts are alternating, not too complex though while including some catchy parts - and they implement saxophone too. A highlight. Sjöblom's vocals vary a lot from charming to aggressively shouting.

Deeply sinking into the terminating 60's Tightrope surprisingly provides some charming psych pop leanings where Green Waves follows as the album's heaviest cracker with a straightforward groove. Once I could see them performing when touring with The Tangent and Ritual. And I can assure that they are able to bring this energy to the stage too. A nice jamming intermezzo is remarkable on the jazzy Akakabotu which probably can be enjoyed live as an extended course. Just another song with saxophone included. The closing Without Saying Anything is presented with elemental ease then.

'Mammoth' offers fresh and inspired songs once more - however ... the manifoldly twists and turns the band is famous for in the meanwhile ... they are reduced a bit, take a backseat (exceptions prove the rule, of course). To be honest, when listening to 'Sleeping In Traffic', I'm always fascinated in some way, coupled with the impression to examine something excessive, overburdening, too much of a good thing - the main reason why I still have avoided to write a review until today. This time they take care of controlling the horses so to say. Overall this makes the particular songs more accessible ... and it's easier to focus on the haunting melodies. As for a side effect this will help to reach for some new fans. Anyway, no problem for me to say that this is an enjoyable BEARDFISH excursion.