Kamasupazundown  - One Minute Silence LP

Hailing from South Wales, Kamasupazundown’s stated aim is to create ‘a quirky and groove driven sound by infusing experimental drum beats with unusual guitar riffs, often of an exotic nature with a touch of attitude.’

Although on the whole this aim is achieved, don't be put off by the prog sounding pretentions - this album is much more attitude than exotica.

From the off, there is a Queens of the Stone Age comparison that is unavoidable, but there is so much more to this album than a simple homage to Rated R or Songs for the Deaf.

I’m not sure if the opening track ‘Getaway’ really works for me, but ‘Down in the Underground’ is a cracker and builds into a quirky but heavy song which you’ll struggle to get out of your head.

The standard is maintained with ‘Chinchilla’ and ‘Seven to One’ before (arguably) the standout track ‘Crazy Horse’, which is a dreamy mix of QOTSA and Masters of Reality, with a catchy chorus that would do either of these inspirational bands proud.

The following track, ‘Dogtag’ takes the album to a new level – still with the same clear influences, but managing to skilfully craft a new and solid sound with another memorable melody.

Paying homage to Alice in Chains’ softer side, ‘Breathe’ is reminiscent of the seminal grunger’s Jar of Flies EP but then takes a sizable detour, with the AIC reference being just a small but pleasing part of what turns into a song that Barry’s finest would surely describe as ‘lush’.

‘Boy from Nowhere’ tries a slightly different approach with a simple but effective riff and provides some variety that is perhaps lacking elsewhere on ‘One Minute Silence’.

It takes a few listens to get over the obvious Queens of the Stone Age comparisons, but its well worth it as you then get to hear lovely touches with inspiration from Alice in Chains and Masters of Reality.  The song-writing is very good, every song strong enough on its own – it’ll be interesting to find out how well they translate to a live setting – fingers crossed I get a chance!

There’s a couple of minor gripes I have to mention – once or twice the drumming can be overly laid back – almost stilted – but it pretty much comes with the territory and the band indeed describe the rhythms here as experimental.  The other is the occasional lack of imagination or feeling with some of the guitar solos - much of the time they hit the mark, but not always.

The lead vocals however are superb – very Josh Homme – but perhaps better?!  Every song is lifted by the quality of Mark Pitts’ voice.

‘One Minute Silence’ is not badly produced, but with a top producer at the helm Kamasupazundown could you feel produce an album of a quality to equal their more established musical counterparts.

There’s hopefully a lot more to come from these guys…

To find out more, including where on earth that name comes from, see our interview with Kamasupazundown here…

(C) Toby Winch for Rockpulse Rock Magazine 2011

Images courtesy of Kamasupazundown 2011