Chowder is an instrumental band that has risen from the ashes of Maryland doom merchants REVELATION and UNORTHODOX by way of bassist Josh Hart, who tackles guitar duties here. The band is rounded out by Chad Rush on drums, and Doug Williams on bass. CHOWDER are taking hold of the music world in a way that gives them a varied grip on several genres, with one foot firmly in the stoner camp, but with some very interesting progressive tendencies.

References include RUSH (especially in Josh’s synth sound), GONE, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, THE FUCKING CHAMPS, and THE OBSESSED. Hart didn’t miss a lick going from the 4-string to the 6-string either, his riffs and solos will stick to any wall you throw ‘em at. There are five songs here, and a couple push the six-minute range. The opener, “Eyes sown Shut” uses a ‘fundamental riff, that always seems to be in the background, even when the music swirls and bounces behind it. The synth-riddled “Hiki” is a treat better than any McDonalds McFlurry could ever be, with cascading noises that bounce around between your headphones. The disc ends with “Saturated”, straight out of Stonerville, and taking no prisoners along the way. The guitar sound is incredible all over this record; it grabs your attention with amazing heaviness and aggression from the very first note as if it were a live recording. Highly recommended.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/chowderbaltimore

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