Bob Vylan have released “He’s a Man” as a single, along with a music video. The track is taken from the duo’s upcoming album, Humble as the Sun, due out April 05th. They also head out on the Viva La Vylan tour in the UK and Eire late this year. Find dates, album information, and catch the new video below.
Many were surprised when Dutch Occult rockers The Devil’s Blood decided to call it quits. But life goes on, and guitarist Selim Lemouchi is back with a new band and a new album in tow. Earth Air Spirit Fire Water (Ván Records) is Selim’s debut under his new moniker, following the well-received Mens Animus Corpus EP. Selim’s Enemies seems to be a rag tag group featuring Robby Geerings on guitar, four drummers, and Selim’s sister and former DB cohort Farida Lemouchi among their numbers.
The record is both very different from Selim’s work in tThe Devil’s Blood, but not completely alien. There’s still a strong 70s rock vibe as well as Farida’s imposing vocal presence on a couple of tracks, although Selim takes main vocal duties. But on the whole it’s far more expansive musically, dropping the occult for a more spaced-out & psychedelic tone. And the songs run for a lot longer – there are only five tracks, but they average around ten minutes apiece.
Opener ‘Chiaroscuro’ begins with a preacher’s monologue of fire & brimstone before making way for a spacey hypnotizing chords and repeating rhythmic drumming. Vacant, haunted vocals with a Bowie-esque twang juxtapose Farida’s recognisably deep wail. There’s a lot going on throughout the ten minutes – although it’s very slow, it’s intense and layered.
‘Next Stop, Universe B’ is more upbeat, and at only three minutes, the closest thing this album has to a single, with Swimmy vocals sit atop a driving beat and reverberated chords. Although this is definitely a prog album, it’s never overdone or overblown. Instead of overbearing complexity and hundreds of ideas thrown in, we’re given a few simple ones that are jammed out and explored.
Album closer ‘Molasses’ probably the highlight and a good example of this. Opening with a crunching repeating bass line and layers of cyber-sounding synth before letting the return of Farida take centre stage and build the song from the ground up. The song build slowly in layers over it’s 13-minute length, adding layers of guitars and impressive solos for a strong finish and a strong sense of curiosity as to where Selim goes with the next album.
Overall Earth Air Spirit Fire Water comes across as very simple but effective, and manages stays of the right side of self-indulgent. It’s not a particularly easy listen, and not one listen to on repeat. But is still impressive, challenging and rewarding album for fans willing to put the time in.
7/10
Selim Lemouchi & His Enemies on Facebook
Dan Swinhoe