Belladonic Haze
Sometimes it’s best just to let the band do the describing for themselves, so when we saw the following on the Belladonic Haze Facebook page, I figured there was no point changing their own words!
In a dark, dark town there was a dark, dark street
And in the dark, dark street there was a dark, dark house
And in the dark, dark house there were some dark, dark stairs
And down the dark, dark stairs there was a dark, dark cellar
And in the dark dark cellar…..
Lived Belladonic Haze!!!
The band then go on to describe their interests as ‘Dancing the tango on a warm moonlit night with a sultry 57 year old senorita named Margaret. Slumming it on a park bench, eating candy floss and having deep and meaningful conversations about the universe with a retired physicist named Randal. Feeding pigeons on the roof of a car park, wearing a Viking hat and pretending to be Coo, the Lord of the Feathered. Occasionally picking up a guitar and writing a song about said interests’, which conjures up some interesting images for sure!
So now we’ve allowed them to introduce themselves, we figured we should check out some of their music to see what they had on offer for us!
Kicking into being with Scarlet Woman we’re led into a guitar led melee of pumping riffs, gravelly vocal lines and driving bass rhythms – kicking in as it means to go on and starting a pace that’s sure to get you moving along. Intricate lead lines add in a sense of proper stadium rock whilst the dark and distorted guitar work adds a sense of power to things, resulting in a mix which sounds like a heavy version of 80’s hair metal in some places, and it works damned well. Guitar solos, hammering riffs and a pounding rhythm section – the opening moments have it all and set things up nicely to move forwards. Shifting on to Fool’s Game things shift sideways slightly, moving from the upbeat and distorted approach to an acoustic line, a laid back outlook and an almost indie rock type sound. My only question on this track is the introduction of different levels of vocals, at times resulting in a bit of a confused sound which detracts somewhat from the catchy and upbeat nature of the track, but it’s a small gripe.
Returning to the more upbeat and rock orientated approach for Strange (even with some cowbell…never too much cowbell…) things return to the distorted style, pinning the track around a roving bassline and once again adding in those gravelly vocals. There’s something funky about the riffs which we’re offered here, taking what could be a relatively simple track and transforming it into something more powerful and complex. Ok so there’s still a comical outlook with lines like ‘Take a tiger to a taco bell’, but in all honesty, I really like the fact that the track doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously. Shifting sideways once again for Deborah Anne we’re once again thrown into the world of acoustic guitars and laid back vocal vibes. There’s a 70’s style vibe to things here, almost like a Bowie-esque style anthem in the waiting, layering vocal lines and mixing them with bass heavy rhythms, resulting in a sound which sounds classic and fresh at the same time.
Progressing on through Putting Out, The Land That Time Forgot, She Loves To Argue (but she never debates…) and Smoke and Mirrors the theme of laid back rock continues, with some moments harking towards the likes of Thin Lizzy, other moments sounding remarkably akin to Santana, and other moments simply demonstrating the bands understanding of their musical style and ability. It’s when I See Her Walking In The Rain Again that another high point on the record is reached though, offering up a track akin to the likes of Ocean Colour Scene in some ways, yet with the bands unmistakeable imprint stamped firmly upon it. Laid back, deep and thought provoking from start to finish, personally, this is my favourite off of the record here and a moment that I thoroughly enjoyed hearing.
It’s only then left for Getting Old to close things, finishing with a more upbeat track once again which leans heavily on the guitar work to push the track forwards and lures you in from start to finish. Catch throughout, this is a track which brings the album to a close, and finishes on a high – leaving you safe in the knowledge that Belladonic Haze love what they do, and do it damned well!
I wasn’t sure what I was in for with Belladonic Haze, and having listened to the album a few times now, I’m still not sure I fully understand it…but I’ve enjoyed it. From start to finish we’ve been presented with tracks that are upbeat, tracks that are laid back, tracks which are thought provoking, and tracks which demonstrate a serious tip of the hat to their major influences. The sort of band that I could happily sit back, drink a beer and enjoy on a nice sunny day – check them out.
To find out more about Belladonic Haze, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
In a dark, dark town there was a dark, dark street
And in the dark, dark street there was a dark, dark house
And in the dark, dark house there were some dark, dark stairs
And down the dark, dark stairs there was a dark, dark cellar
And in the dark dark cellar…..
Lived Belladonic Haze!!!
The band then go on to describe their interests as ‘Dancing the tango on a warm moonlit night with a sultry 57 year old senorita named Margaret. Slumming it on a park bench, eating candy floss and having deep and meaningful conversations about the universe with a retired physicist named Randal. Feeding pigeons on the roof of a car park, wearing a Viking hat and pretending to be Coo, the Lord of the Feathered. Occasionally picking up a guitar and writing a song about said interests’, which conjures up some interesting images for sure!
So now we’ve allowed them to introduce themselves, we figured we should check out some of their music to see what they had on offer for us!
Kicking into being with Scarlet Woman we’re led into a guitar led melee of pumping riffs, gravelly vocal lines and driving bass rhythms – kicking in as it means to go on and starting a pace that’s sure to get you moving along. Intricate lead lines add in a sense of proper stadium rock whilst the dark and distorted guitar work adds a sense of power to things, resulting in a mix which sounds like a heavy version of 80’s hair metal in some places, and it works damned well. Guitar solos, hammering riffs and a pounding rhythm section – the opening moments have it all and set things up nicely to move forwards. Shifting on to Fool’s Game things shift sideways slightly, moving from the upbeat and distorted approach to an acoustic line, a laid back outlook and an almost indie rock type sound. My only question on this track is the introduction of different levels of vocals, at times resulting in a bit of a confused sound which detracts somewhat from the catchy and upbeat nature of the track, but it’s a small gripe.
Returning to the more upbeat and rock orientated approach for Strange (even with some cowbell…never too much cowbell…) things return to the distorted style, pinning the track around a roving bassline and once again adding in those gravelly vocals. There’s something funky about the riffs which we’re offered here, taking what could be a relatively simple track and transforming it into something more powerful and complex. Ok so there’s still a comical outlook with lines like ‘Take a tiger to a taco bell’, but in all honesty, I really like the fact that the track doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously. Shifting sideways once again for Deborah Anne we’re once again thrown into the world of acoustic guitars and laid back vocal vibes. There’s a 70’s style vibe to things here, almost like a Bowie-esque style anthem in the waiting, layering vocal lines and mixing them with bass heavy rhythms, resulting in a sound which sounds classic and fresh at the same time.
Progressing on through Putting Out, The Land That Time Forgot, She Loves To Argue (but she never debates…) and Smoke and Mirrors the theme of laid back rock continues, with some moments harking towards the likes of Thin Lizzy, other moments sounding remarkably akin to Santana, and other moments simply demonstrating the bands understanding of their musical style and ability. It’s when I See Her Walking In The Rain Again that another high point on the record is reached though, offering up a track akin to the likes of Ocean Colour Scene in some ways, yet with the bands unmistakeable imprint stamped firmly upon it. Laid back, deep and thought provoking from start to finish, personally, this is my favourite off of the record here and a moment that I thoroughly enjoyed hearing.
It’s only then left for Getting Old to close things, finishing with a more upbeat track once again which leans heavily on the guitar work to push the track forwards and lures you in from start to finish. Catch throughout, this is a track which brings the album to a close, and finishes on a high – leaving you safe in the knowledge that Belladonic Haze love what they do, and do it damned well!
I wasn’t sure what I was in for with Belladonic Haze, and having listened to the album a few times now, I’m still not sure I fully understand it…but I’ve enjoyed it. From start to finish we’ve been presented with tracks that are upbeat, tracks that are laid back, tracks which are thought provoking, and tracks which demonstrate a serious tip of the hat to their major influences. The sort of band that I could happily sit back, drink a beer and enjoy on a nice sunny day – check them out.
To find out more about Belladonic Haze, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls