Mothman and the Thunderbirds is a solo musician from the US who released his EP album, Gazer 1, on May 21st, 2021. This would gratify Devin Townsend, The Armed, Astronoid, and Moon Tooth fans.
Introduction:
Mothman and the Thunderbirds, Gazer: This review will evaluate every aspect of the album, from its intricate musical composition to its production. Our analysis will provide valuable insights to help you determine if this album is worth adding to your collection.
The First Three Sins of Into The Hollow
Let’s start by discussing the first three sins of Mothman and the Thunderbirds and his album, Gazer.
The First Sin, The Strings/Keys: Features amplified-progressive guitar-driven sound of the guitars, with spacey synthesisers and clean guitar chords. The Second Sin, The Vocals: Involves a mixture of clean, distorted, rough vocals. The Third Sin—The Percussions: Delves into the vast world of various drum strikes/fills and (progressive) beats/tempos.
The Fourth Sin: Overall Discussion: A journey through unique sound, combined with an amplified guitar-based sound…
The listener is invited to a space-themed Extended Play when the play button is pressed. The new space-based track Grazer opens with a short, eighties-style static-electronic synthesiser. This nostalgic element not only follows the band’s signature style of catchy and upbeat distortion-aggression but also hints at the band’s evolution and the EP’s unique sound, combined with an amplified guitar-based sound of progressive metal.
Building on their first album, Into The Hollow, the band introduces a new dimension to their sound in the EP. The familiar catchy and upbeat distortion-aggression is now augmented with spacey synthesisers and clean guitar chords, marking a significant evolution in their musical journey.
Upon further exploration of the musical landscape, individuals may come across two iconic tracks: All-Star by the renowned band Smash Mouth and Mr. Spaceman by the iconic American band The Byrds. Upon re-evaluating these timeless compositions, it becomes clear that All-Star exudes a more dynamic and electrifying sound characterised by its robust and captivating melodies. On the other hand, Mr. Spaceman maintains a musical structure similar to that of All-Star. Still, it distinguishes itself by incorporating a mesmerising, trippy ambience that immerses the listener in a unique auditory experience.
As the listener nears the end of the EP, we are treated to a genuinely mesmerising bonus instrumental track that seamlessly blends spacey and progressive music elements to create a fruit of art-instrumental piece. The track exudes a sense of grandeur and depth, leaving listeners feeling deeply satisfied with the album’s conclusion. It is a fitting end to a fantastic collection of songs that fills us with awe and wonder.
It is a pleasure to witness the return of the talented Alex, who has once again graced us with his signature style.
Alex‘s role in the EP is significant, as he seamlessly blends heavy rock with various elements of stoner metal, sludge metal, experimental and progressive rock, and diverse grooves. His unique style is a key element that connects this EP to the band’s previous work.
It’s a true pleasure to witness the return of the talented Alex, who has once again graced us with his signature style. His latest release not only features a delightful touch of spacy psychedelia that sets it apart from his previous work but also showcases his exceptional skill, creativity, and accuracy. This unparalleled sound experience is a testament to his musical prowess and leaves us in awe.
The album comes to an end with the last song, Liminal Spacetime Continuum. We want to give a shoutout to Mothman and the Thunderbirds for letting us review his album, Gazer. Now, we’re going to wrap it up by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.
You’re Listening to “Gazer”
PlayThe Last Three Sins
Let’s discuss the last three sins, our thoughts on Mothman and the Thunderbirds and his album, Gazer.
The Fifth Sin, The Memorabilia: Is that for us, Gazer, has a unique sound that differs from his debut. While maintaining the aggressive sludgy/stoner vibe, Gazer adds these eighties synth-pop/psychedelic elements —simultaneously creating a feeling reminiscent of Babylon Zoo’s Spaceman.
The Sixth Sin, The Artwork:
The artwork beautifully captures the essence of space and the psychedelic elements of the music.
The Seventh Sin, Disrelish:
Nothing to disrelish within the musical spectrum of Mothman and the Thunderbirds, and his album Gazer.
This concludes the Mothman and the Thunderbirds, Gazer review.
Track-Listing:
- Gazer
- All Star
- Mr Spaceman
- Liminal Spacetime Continuum (Bonus – Instrumental Demo)
Mothman and the Thunderbirds is:
- Alex Parkinson – guitars, bass, vocals, vocoder, mandolin synths
- Joe Sobieski – guest (lead) vocals on track two
- Egor Lappo – mixing, mastering, production and drum programming
- This new album includes four mesmerising tracks: one original composition, two covers, and a demo, with a total playtime of around twenty minutes. ↩︎
