Ripple Music hit the bull’s eye with the 4th instalment of its “Turned to Stone” series, bringing together two bands in one EP that sound as if they naturally belong together! Released on the 15th of April 2022, I have returned to this release multiple times since then, and not once have I been able to skip a song. Below are a few words that will hopefully get you to lend your ears to an album that is bound to make you love it!
The four songs on the first half of the EP are a brilliant hybrid specimen between Temple of the Dog-era grunge, modern desert rock and melodies that can take you all the way back to the mighty Lynyrd Skynyrd. Personally, I love the sound of Saturna and I am a sucker for the voice of James Vieco (if you want to know why, you really want to check out their covers for “Times of Trouble” and “Outshined” by Soundgarden). My personal favourite of this EP is “Drowning”, although it’s really difficult to pick a song as they are all equally well-crafted. Overall, this is one of the best works of Saturna to date, and it leaves you hungry for more.
On the second half of the EP, Electric Monolith deliver five songs, with an intelligent Sabbathesque song-writing that has its roots in classic tunes like “National Acrobat” and “Solitude”. The band creates songs that look eye to eye with Sleepwulf and Green Lung. There are two brilliant acoustic interludes, “I Hope You Feel Better” and “So Lonely Dying”, woven between three 70’s prog-infused hard rock gems. The band literally leaves their best for last, with my personal favourite “Nightmares” closing their EP (and this release) with an evil riff that winks to Atomic Rooster.
Overall, words pale into insignificance before the tunes and sounds of this excellent release put together by Ripple Music. Do not sleep on this EP, I bet it sounds brilliant on wax! Highly recommended!
Words by Ioannis Valiakos
Desert Vulture 