Almost by definition, musical side projects aren't meant to last very long, but rather serve as brief, often one-time departures for musicians
Otherwise engaged with
Far more pressing or successful bands -- and that's why
Greenleaf HAS proved itself to be anything but your typical "side project."
Yes, this Scandinavian music collective have gone through a revolving cast since their
Arrival on the scene, much like an auditory Y2K virus in that fateful millennium flip; but
The One constant bond that
HAS repeatedly drawn them together, every few years, like an irresistible gravitational force, is a shared musical vision, straddling the realms of
Stoner and alternative rock.
Such was the case when
Greenleaf first assembled behind Lowrider vocalist Peter Bergstrand for their eponymous 2000 debut EP, welcomed
Dozer frontman Fredrik Nordin for is 2001 follow-up, Revolution Rock, added
Demon Cleanerguitarist Daniel Jansson for 2003's Secret Alphabets, integrated
Truckfighters vocalist Oskar Cedermalm in time for 2007's Agents Of
Ahriman, and powered ahead behind reliable mainstay, guitarist Tommi Holappa for 2012's
Nest Of Vipers. Now,
Greenleaf is on the move again, bidding Cedermalm
Farewell and welcoming new recruits in frontman Arvid Jonsson and drummer
Sebastian Olsson, who joined Holappa and long-serving bassist Bengt Bäcke in time to record (incidentally, with no outside help, guest musicians, or other additives) what would become GREENLEAF's next and fifth long-player, Trails And Passes.
Set for global domination next month via Small
Stone Recordings, Trails And Passes was recorded by Karl Daniel Lidén at Studio Gröndahl with vocals recorded by Arvid Jonsson at Hälla Libraries, and mixed and mastered by Lidén at Tri-Lamb Studios. Boasting nine-tracks of bonged-out, psychedelic-tinged riff rock, the music on Trails And Passes draws out the best talents of each individual member, resulting in a modern rock amalgam that's as impossible to simplify as it is futile to want to. Gushes Global Domination upon first impression of the record:
"The riffs are long, the drumming is
Intense, the vocals are ferocious, and the album
HAS a very '70s feel to it. The production is very clean and this is their finest album yet. The entire album
HAS an early
Deep Purple influence. Tommi Holappa keeps the guitar on an even
Keel from start to finish. Arvid Jonsson is tight and melodious,
Sebastian Olsson is groovy. He knows how to keep the listeners swinging to the beat and Bengt Backe keeps the bass rumbling and growling. The band is clear, crisp and the sum is so much greater than the parts." Adds The Sludgelord simply, "These guys are way too good to be ignored."
With a long, winding career that now sees
Greenleaf categorically divesting itself of any lingering "side project" associations (ask Holappa and he'll bluntly tell you it is
Dozer that's become his "side project" these days),
Greenleaf HAS officially be elevated to the proverbial next level with the abundant strengths of Trails And Passes. Recommended for adherents of
Dozer,
Brain Police,
Sasquatch,
Graveyard,
Monster Magnet,
Clutch, Roadsaw,
Truckfighters, Lowrider and The Socks.
Check out opening track, "Our Mother Ash"
Trails and Passes Track Listing:
1. Our Mother Ash
2. Ocean Deep
3. Equators
4. Depth Of The Sun
5. Humans
6. With Eyes Wide Open
7. The Drum
8. Bound To Be Machines
9. Trails & Passes
GREENLEAF:
Bengt Bäcke: Bass
Sebastian Olsson: Drums
Tommi Holappa: Guitar
Arvid Jonsson: Vocals
Trails And Passes will be released via Small Stone Recordings on May 13, 2014. Preorder your copy at
THIS LOCATION. For iTunes preorders, point your browser
HERE.
https://www.facebook.com/greenleafrocks http://www.smallstone.com Source :
http://www.earsplitcompound.com/
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