Stoneload
Sweden has always had a reputation for holding some mighty fine talents in their bands, so when Stoneload from Umea got in touch, I figured this would be a good chance to check out some new talent. Having formed in 2009 under the name of Blackout Metal, the band got together after a jam session but eventually renamed themselves Stoneload following the recruitment of Nitesh on bass. Stating that they’ve got a sound like Metallica, Anthrax and Pantera, I figured this was going to be one hell of a damned good ride!
Addict opens the tracks for us, throwing out a sludgy riff from the word go and launching us into a melee of hammering drums, roving bass rhythms and distorted guitar licks – it’s a damned good start. The vocals which come in don’t follow the convention you might expect, instead sounding dark and haunting over the music to add in a further sense of the dark elements to things, slowly building the track around you but making sure you’re involved for the entire process. Somehow making the track catchy as well as heavy, this is the sort of track which is going to get the band recognition and demand on the live scene where ever they play. What I really like is how the band have managed to craft a mix which allows all of the elements of it to be heard, if you listen to the track you can hear everything and it’s a real change!
Fallen One moves us further towards their comparisons to some of the kings of metal, this time launching us straight into a thrash style riff played at obscene speed, hammering onwards through the track causing pits to spring up where ever it is heard. The real sense behind this track is one of movement and all out power, yet there’s also some more refined elements going on here as well which almost hark towards the prog styles of the likes of Dream Theater. Overall though, this is a thrash track designed to destroy venues, and it seems to be working. The progression is impossible to resist and before you know it, you too will be throwing out some shapes and starting a pit somewhere around you!
Closing the selection with Never Again there’s one last opportunity to hear the sludgy riffs in full flow, launching into a hammering melee of pure destruction. This track stands out to me as my personal favourite from the selection on their Reverb Nation page, somehow crafting a track which is all out heavy whilst still managing to keep elements of melody running throughout it. More stereotypical metal than the other tracks, this all out rampage of a track is one which is going to secure these guys a slot as a band which you need to make sure you check out if you get a chance. Powerful and distorted, this track has left me with one set mission – I have to check these guys out on the live scene!
I don’t think I’ve had a bad band come in from Sweden, unlike most places there seems to be an abundance of talent and musical ability, and Stoneload are no exception to the rule! The tracks which you’ve got here demonstrate that these guys are going to be a force to be reckoned with, a band which epitomises the thinking behind Loud-Stuff – a band you need to check out!
To find out more about Stoneload, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Addict opens the tracks for us, throwing out a sludgy riff from the word go and launching us into a melee of hammering drums, roving bass rhythms and distorted guitar licks – it’s a damned good start. The vocals which come in don’t follow the convention you might expect, instead sounding dark and haunting over the music to add in a further sense of the dark elements to things, slowly building the track around you but making sure you’re involved for the entire process. Somehow making the track catchy as well as heavy, this is the sort of track which is going to get the band recognition and demand on the live scene where ever they play. What I really like is how the band have managed to craft a mix which allows all of the elements of it to be heard, if you listen to the track you can hear everything and it’s a real change!
Fallen One moves us further towards their comparisons to some of the kings of metal, this time launching us straight into a thrash style riff played at obscene speed, hammering onwards through the track causing pits to spring up where ever it is heard. The real sense behind this track is one of movement and all out power, yet there’s also some more refined elements going on here as well which almost hark towards the prog styles of the likes of Dream Theater. Overall though, this is a thrash track designed to destroy venues, and it seems to be working. The progression is impossible to resist and before you know it, you too will be throwing out some shapes and starting a pit somewhere around you!
Closing the selection with Never Again there’s one last opportunity to hear the sludgy riffs in full flow, launching into a hammering melee of pure destruction. This track stands out to me as my personal favourite from the selection on their Reverb Nation page, somehow crafting a track which is all out heavy whilst still managing to keep elements of melody running throughout it. More stereotypical metal than the other tracks, this all out rampage of a track is one which is going to secure these guys a slot as a band which you need to make sure you check out if you get a chance. Powerful and distorted, this track has left me with one set mission – I have to check these guys out on the live scene!
I don’t think I’ve had a bad band come in from Sweden, unlike most places there seems to be an abundance of talent and musical ability, and Stoneload are no exception to the rule! The tracks which you’ve got here demonstrate that these guys are going to be a force to be reckoned with, a band which epitomises the thinking behind Loud-Stuff – a band you need to check out!
To find out more about Stoneload, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
