Low Orbit - Spacecake (2017)

Low Orbit returns to their earthly bound atmosphere with their epic sounding new album - Spacecake. Maybe the title is a bit humorous but the music certainly isn't with the band employing a classic Sabbath sound that is matched against a Spaced Out/Stoner Rock atmosphere.

Opening track - Dead Moon Two - starts with a psychedelic space rock flourish that soon gives way to a heavy stylized Doom/Stoner Rock sound. The vocals from Angelo are your normal standard fare but he does have a very loud presence around him. The music drifts from one sonic projectory to the next with the album sounding quite vintage one moment and the next it's a heavier and more boisterous modern approach. The instrumental work is what impresses from the start and what demands your attention throughout. There is nothing flashy about Low Orbit's music as the band get down to business of creating heavy psychedelic sounds that has shades of Monster Magnet/Kyuss running throughout.

Second track - Planet X - carries on the science fiction theme with the lyrics and vocals taking a more interesting turn. The song does take time to find a more settled groove but this is still perhaps one of the standout songs on the album with Low Orbit adopting a more "Heavy Metal" approach compared to the other songs on the album.

The best songs on the album have to be Shades Of Neptune and Machu Picchu, as the band has more time to play with. As these songs run for eleven and nine minutes respectively. Low Orbit expresses themselves more clearly and freely on these two songs with progressive doom/stoner sounds leading the way to an exciting finish. The psychedelic noises held on the album can be very jarring at times but a heavy Doom/Stoner riff is never far away.

Low Orbit has taken great care in making this album and it shows on the majority of the songs. Spacecake is undoubtedly a solid and hugely entertaining album that has the right balance of Psychedelic Riffs and the heavier Doom/Stoner Metal sounds to make it worth your time.