(c) Desert Wave
The desert lives and breathes… in Vicenza. You wouldn’t expect a reef thunderstorm in the Italian north-east, but it seems so Desert Wave precious little to impress. Bassist Logan and drummer Drago created this sideshow back in 2016. They played together in a doom band, but wanted to go in the direction of stoner and psych. Together with guitarist and riff machine Burton, the common sound was found, which already threw off the purely instrumental “Lost In Dunes” five years ago. with „Deafening Silence“ want or wanted to go in a more psychedelic direction, inspired by King Buffalo, among others.
In the end, according to their own statements, it didn’t quite come to that, although the two-part opener “Outside” is said to go the strongest in this refined direction. That’s a wonderful sign, because from the mile long rearing up of the first part to the sympathetic discomfort of the second section, this somewhat different sound gets to the substance. Vocals are now allowed and become an additional instrument, then the band takes off for the final act – with an almost singing guitar, with a little more intensity, but without getting completely lost in psych worlds. It is an easy, gentle and therefore highly effective change, if you will.
All around it continues to set powerful riffs, whereby “Venus Chains” – once more not least because of the vocals – brings both worlds together. The relaxed, jam-like character accompanies the mighty stoner guitar, in the middle the thing slows itself down and searches for the perfect mood in perfect timelessness. The title track also needs to be mentioned: “Deafening Silence” needs a little time to get up to speed, but is self-confident, almost wild. A wealth of small and large metamorphoses suits the track well. Repeated moults and majestic reef violence know how to entertain.
In fact, this evolution comes on rates very well. Gradually, Desert Wave devote themselves to new sound spheres without completely removing themselves from their oppressive, riff-heavy roots. For long stretches, “Deafening Silence” feels like an extra-long jam session that was gradually cut and segmented. The psych of “Outside” is good, the stoner and desert guitars all around entertaining as well – another test of talent for the Italians, who are in impressive form.
Rating: 8/10
Available from: 14.11.2022
Available from: self-distribution
Facebook: www.facebook.com/desertwaverock
Category: Magazin, Reviews
